Church choirs have been around forever—a Sunday morning fixture in many churches. Popular perception is that a choir rehearses once or twice a week during most of the year, and steps it up a bit for the holidays. Thumbing through the want ads for choir director will bring up a number of part-time jobs.
That’s not how it works for Anne Matlack, D.M.A., full-time organist and choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison.
She is also the artistic director of the Harmonium Choral Society, which is a part-time job. Between the two, there is always something coming up, and she works more than full time. Her current project is a Halloween Concert to be performed on Oct. 30.
Matlack began her career at Grace 20 years ago, an anniversary that will be formally celebrated at the church in November. When she was hired, she learned she would replace a woman who had been there for 50 years, which was intimidating. “It’s a challenge to follow someone who has been with a choir for so long.”
