Paul Ellison leaves Church of the Advent, San Francisco.

 

Paul M Ellison has resigned as Director of Music at Church of the Advent of Christ the King after a ministry of seventeen years. He left on September 30 to devote more time to his teaching career at San Francisco State University, where he lectures in music history, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School, San Mateo, where he teaches music and directs St. Matthew’s Chapel Choir.  He will also continue his work as assistant editor of The Beethoven Journal, and plans to complete his thesis for the PhD at Cardiff University, Wales on tonality and meaning in Beethoven’s vocal music. Under his leadership the program at Advent grew to achieve both a local and national reputation for quality of choral interpretation and scope of repertoire. During his tenure, Mr. Ellison established a four-part SATB choir, which subsequently became known as the vocal ensemble Schola Adventus, whom he directed at many liturgies and concerts at the church. The annual Advent Liturgy—a candlelit procession with readings and carols instigated by him in 1991—was a highlight of the program, and one enjoyed by many visitors from far and wide. Schola Adventus sang Choral Evensong twice at Grace Cathedral, and performed on several programs in the Bay Area. They also welcomed the 1998 Annual Conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians, which Mr. Ellison co-chaired, at a pre-conference service of Solemn Evensong and Benediction to great acclaim. They gave several first performances and US premiers of works both old and new, including a commission by David Conte for Mr. Ellison’s fifteenth anniversary at Advent: Two Hymns in Honor of the Blessed Sacrament: O Salutaris Hostia; Tantum Ergo, subsequently published by E. C. Schirmer. Schola Adventus toured southern England in December 2005, singing Evensong at Christchurch Cathedral Oxford, and a major concert entitled Hodie Christus Natus Est at St. John's, Smith Square as part of the 20th Hazard Chase Christmas Festival. They released their first CD, Palestrina for Eight Voices, in November 2006 on the Four Winds label to critical acclaim. Mr. Ellison also established a Gregorian Schola Cantorum to sing at Advent’s twice-monthly Latin Chant Mass, and a volunteer choir to lead services in the summer months. The Third Sunday Series, now entering its fourth season was his brainchild, successfully combining traditional Anglican Evensong and Benediction with a varied series of organ recitals and vocal and instrumental concerts. He was AGO subdean from 1995 to 1996, and on the program committee from 1996-1997.

 

Charles Wallace, Headmaster of Saint Thomas Choir School, New York, will travel with the July choir tour to the UK.  Unfortunately, the itinerary schedules Saint Thomas’ arrival in Durham the day after the AAM conference concludes. 

The summer tour is a rare event for the Choir School, but an invitation to participate in a Gala Concert in St. Albans Cathedral, along with the choirs of St. Albans and St. John’s College, Cambridge, as part of the biennial International Organ Festival proved irresistible. 

Other service and concert venues include St. Mary’s and St. Giles Cathedrals in Edinburgh; St. John’s College, Cambridge; St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; Westminster Abbey, London; & St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. 

A particular highlight for the choir will be singing in York Minster from whence came T. Tertius Noble, the organist of Saint Thomas Church whose influence and vision led to the establishment of the Choir School in 1919.  For the current Director of Music, John Scott, a concert in Wakefield will provide the trip down “Memory Lane”; as he returns to the cathedral where he spent his years as a boy chorister.

 

If you are extending your time in the UK and will be present at any of the concerts or evensongs, please be in touch with Charles at cwallace@choirschool.org.  A detailed itinerary can be found on the home page of the church’s website, www.saintthomaschurch.org.