The Virginia Girls Choir

St. Stephen’s is the home of the Virginia Girls Choir, an exceptional choir of girls in grades four through eight, who learn to sing the music of the Anglican tradition with great spirit and depth of understanding. The choir bears witness to St. Stephen’s presence to the wider Richmond community and throughout Virginia, raising the hearts and minds of both the singers and the listeners.

At St. Stephen's, the choir regularly sings Evensong on the first and second Thursdays of the month at 6:45 p.m., and on alternating Sundays for worship at 9 a.m. The choir also performs for civic events in the greater Richmond community and beyond. In January and February, the choir gave concerts at the First Lady's Luncheon at the Omni Hotel, celebrating the inauguration of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell; at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg; for services at Jetersville, Salem and Jepworth United Methodist Churches in Amelia County, Virginia; and at St. Paul's Church, K Street, Washington, D.C; and with the American Boychoir at St. Bridget Church, Richmond. Most recently the choir gave a concert at River Road Presbyterian Church, Richmond, and will release a CD recording of that performance soon. The choir will next sing for the opening ceremony of the Richmond Little League later in March and is planning to tour Connecticut and Massachusetts in June.

While singing in a choir of great renown is, by its nature, a great reward, choristers grow in confidence, poise, self-esteem, collegiality, as well as gain deep awareness and appreciation for the disciplined study of poetry, music and the arts. To support the sense in which the founding members of the Virginia Girls Choir understand professional commitment and skill, each girl earns a monthly stipend, as well as a modest scholarship in her name to be placed in a college fund and presented to her at the end of her time in the choir.

If your daughter is interested in auditioning for the Virginia Girls Choir, please call 288.2867, and ask for an application. For more information about the choir, send an email to Dan Moriarty, the director.

You may also download an information packet and application here.

Photo: Virginia Girls Choir members take a break in the Hamptons on their summer tour in 2009.

Singers: Rehearsal Calendar is here.