Music Program
˝The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.˝
– J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
The choral program at Christ Church Woodbury is a celebrated expression of prayer and thanksgiving within our parish. The adult choir provides magnificent music for the 10 a.m. Eucharist and during special church events throughout the year. Students in grade four and above may become a chorister in the youth choir, which sings for special festivals and feasts during the year. Choristers also study elements of music theory, singing posture, tone production, and proper participation in liturgical worship.
˝He who sings prays twice˝
– Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)
Grace Mazzola, Soprano Choral Scholar
Grace Mazzola is a Soprano singer who graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of Hartford, The Hartt School. She specializes in solo singing, early music, and sacred music. She has had the opportunity to study in many Vocal Studios at The Hartt School, including those of Dr. Wayne Rivera, Dr. Thomas Cannon, Professor Cherie Claudia, and Dr. Lisabeth Miller. During her Undergraduate Degree, she sang with the Schola Cantorum at The Cathedral of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT where she was regularly singing Sunday Masses, Confirmation Masses, Funerals, and Weddings under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Löfvall. One of Grace’s most fond memories while studying at Hartt is being asked to sing in the Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds concert series at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arnie Roth. In her free time, Grace can be found hiking, going to the gym, or snuggling with her cat Toby.
Andrew Owens, Bass Choral Scholar
Andrew Owens is a junior vocal music performance major at Rowan University. He is a bass baritone and lives in Glassboro. He is excited to be a part of the Christ Church Music Program.
Rebecca Ruescher, Alto Choral Scholar
Rebecca is a passionate singer, conductor, and educator from Malverne, New York. She received her B.A. in Music and Psychology from Amherst College and her M.M. in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College. After completing her master’s, she relocated to Florida, where she directed a competitive high school choral program and sang and conducted at local churches downtown. She is excited to return to the Northeast and join the music ministry at Christ Church this fall.
Arturo Tapia-Minchezr, Tenor Choral Scholar
Arturo Tapia-Minchez is a Tenor, Composer, and Poet living in Glassboro, New Jersey. Art (as he likes to go by) hails from Southern California, where he began his music studies at Riverside City College and The University of Redlands. Art has sung with several advanced collegiate choirs, including: The Riverside City College Chamber Singers, The University of Redlands Chapel Singers, and The Pomona College Choir. Art has professional experience as both a Vocalist and Composer, chosen as a composition fellow for the Choral Arts Initiative Premiere Project 2022, and is a rostered vocalist with the Philadelphia Symphonic Chorus. Art currently attends Rowan University as a Voice Performance and Composition double major.
