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Music program at St. Paul's in Englewood instills song and growth

By: 
Neal Nolasco / Northern Valley Suburbanite

From worksheets to sheet music, notes of several forms can be found marked across the lines of wide-ruled and staff paper. For many North Jersey boys and girls an after-school program is available that couples classroom studies with choral practice. For many years, one of the hallmarks at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Englewood has been its professional music program, said Mark Trautman, 52, music director of the church.

"Music has long been an important part of the culture and mission of St. Paul’s, and certainly over the years this has been a place for concerts and other music events that has helped the church not only in terms of its own development, but also has helped use its resources as an outreach to the city and to the greater Bergen County community," he said.

The St. Paul’s Choir School Chorister Program is a musical and educational outreach of the church, conducted in a friendly and fun environment that can eventually lead to performance opportunities held at least once a month, showcased mainly on Sunday afternoons.

The free program, which began in September and is expected to last throughout the school year, is open to children ages 9 to 14 of all faiths and traditions. Alongside academics and musicality, the nature of the program concurrently dapples upon learning, leadership and teamwork. The children, or choristers, will be drawn in to a variety of musical styles and methods, such as the ability to read music fluently, singing exercises, and garnering music theory.