History

 

The Canterbury Choral Society's mission to present sacred choral masterpieces in sacred spaces with their full original orchestrations was entirely innovative and untried when the group began in 1952; its half-century-long success without any deviation from its original mission is unparalleled in New York City. Canterbury's concerts bring together a unique combination of volunteer, semi-professional and professional musicians under the leadership of Charles Dodsley Walker, a musician, organist, and conductor who has been making music for over sixty years.

 

The Canterbury Choral Society (CCS), initially a musical outreach project of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, was "for the purpose of presenting programs of the finest sacred choral music, to be given in church and with the required instrumental accompaniment." From the beginning of Canterbury Choral Society, Heavenly Rest parishioners, and other volunteer vocalists have gathered to sing and rehearse under Charlie Walker's leadership. Though most Canterbury concerts retained some characteristics of a church service — a performance is preceded and concluded with a hymn, for instance — critics occasionally came to Canterbury concerts as they never would to other church recitals: they reviewed Canterbury performances as they would regular concerts in major concert halls.

 

Over the years, Canterbury singers have numbered over five hundred. More than three thousand children have sung with the chorus. Canterbury has performed over two hundred formal concerts and Canterbury singers have participated in scores of theatre productions, ceremonies and services throughout the metropolitan region.

 

In 1988 Canterbury Choral Society became administratively independent from the Church of the Heavenly Rest, though rehearsals and concerts continue at this wonderful and sacred space located on Fifth Avenue at 90th Street in Manhattan's Carnegie Hill neighborhood.

 

Organizational structure

Canterbury reached administrative independence from the Church of the Heavenly Rest, it's original sponsor, in 1988, when Canterbury achieved 501(c)(3) status. Today, Canterbury Choral Society is a not-for-profit arts association with an independent Board of Directors which is separate and distinct from the Officers. By-laws that would stand in accordance with New York State requirements were written and adhered to; a formal budget proposed to and approved by the general Canterbury Choral Society membership.

 

End-of-year annual meetings whose first purpose had always been camaraderie surrounding founder and long-time musical director Charlie Walker's annual musical report — a survey of the past season's concerts and an overview of the next season's planned performances — now include reports from the the President and the Treasurer.

 

Though friendships, socializing, laughter, and embraces remain a key component of the late May annual meetings, they are not legally concluded without the official presentation of the business component of the agenda. With the board's approval each year, the next season's music is approved. The familiar balance between old and new, familiar and innovative is always struck. Historical perspective and sweep is taken into account, as are orchestra costs. Monthly board meetings oversee the short-range and long-range fiscal stability of Canterbury.

 

Once a concert season has been tentatively approved, rehearsal and concert space is reserved and a calendar devised that will cover the following twelve months; tentative lists of Canterburians who plan to sing for each concert are gathered; scores are ordered over the summer. Conductor Charlie Walker contacts potential soloists and orchestra members; he renews contracts with semi-professional singers who serve as section leaders or ringers at the regular Canterbury rehearsals and with that season's rehearsal pianist.

 

Board of Directors

 

Officers are elected for one-year terms during the annual meeting, and board members serve for a three-year term.

 

Canterbury Choral Society Board of Directors 2010-2011

 

Chairperson Mary Ellen Bianco

President Mary T. Wheeler
1st Vice President Anne Cross
2nd Vice President Curtis Strohl
Secretary Suzanne Martinucci
Treasurer Barbara Higgins

Alicia Benoist
Robert C. Bickford
Anne Carter Seeler
Deborah Donovan
Sarah Hunter Hudson
Molly Pickering Grose
Janet A. Robertson
John W. Townsend