The Children's Choir Chorister Program
Click here to register your child(ren) for Choristers!
We are delighted to be have relaunched our Children's Choir Chorister Program!
The Chorister program of St. Martin-in-the-Fields offers children from the second grade upwards a thorough and enjoyable musical education in a safe and effective learning environment.
Choristers learn not only about music and singing but also about music theory, history, languages, maths, science and much more. In a program delivered by our Director of Music & Arts, Mr. Tyrone Whiting, and our brand-new dedicated Children's Choir Chorister Leader, Ms. Brooke Witherite, children have the chance to progress through varying levels of the program earning medals, ribbons, and certificates in the process. Our Choristers gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals in music, vocal production, as well as liturgy and theology.
Choristers rehearse each week on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will sing in our Sunday services initially once per month. A free meal at 6pm after rehearsal is provided for choristers, family, and friends. Choristers will also sing at festivals and events in the local area and further afield, offering them the chance to spread the joy and learning of music with others.
If you know a child who loves to sing or want to find out more about our Children's Choir Chorister program, please email Mr. Whiting or fill out this form.
Director of Music & Arts 412 587 0178 As Director of Music & Arts at St. Martin's, Mr. Tyrone Whiting (he/him) oversees all our music and arts ministries, outreach, and education. Tyrone says: "With a robed adult choir supported by four professional section leaders, a children’s choir Chorister program, and a robust series of concerts throughout the year, St. Martin’s is an incredibly musically active church, whose mission and outreach are at the heart of the music program. I am proud and grateful to all who participate and support our music ministries." Winner of multiple prizes, organist, pianist, and conductor, Tyrone Whiting began his formal studies as a teenager with Nigel McClintock at Croydon Parish Church (now Croydon Minster) in London, UK. Five years later, in the summer of 2011, he was awarded the Associateship diploma of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO). Tyrone previously graduated from the Royal College of Music (RCM) as a scholar from the Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Science course, where he was generously funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council Studentship and supported by the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds Award. Returning to the RCM in 2016, Tyrone received a distinction in the one-year fast-track Master of Music degree course, achieving an ‘excellent’ category distinction grade in his final organ recital, and receiving the renowned Harold Darke Prize in 2017. Tyrone studied organ with both David Graham and Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, conducting with Peter Stark and Howard Williams, and has also undertaken historical performance projects with Jane Chapman and Lawrence Zazzo. Graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where he studied organ performance with William Whitehead, Daniel Moult, and Ann Elise Smoot, Tyrone was three times winner of the Geoffrey Singleton Prize for Organ Performance (2010, 2011 & 2012), and twice winner of the Cardnell Organ Prize for ‘talents as an organist’ (2011 & 2012). Throughout the degree, Tyrone trained as a pianist under the direction of the renowned Phillip Fowke and continues to perform piano alongside his organ work. Tyrone also studied at Trinity’s Junior Department where he was awarded the Hambourg Award for Improvisation. In September 2017, Tyrone was appointed Director of Music at Grace Church in Newark, New Jersey, USA and began working there in February 2018. At Grace Church, Tyrone extended the Chorister Choir School program, developed and expanded the adult choir, and founded a brand-new adult chamber choir, Brick City Chorus, as well as significantly raising the profile of music at Grace Church and the Arts in Newark, NJ. Prior to Tyrone’s arrival in the USA, he was Director of Music at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Battersea from 2012 to early 2018. At St. Mary’s, Tyrone established a biennial recital series as well as a new fully-funded choral scholarship program, and conducted several large-scale concerts including Mozart and Fauré’s requiems, J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion, and Stainer’s Crucifixion. Collaborative work included conducting a recent commission by prominent British composer Simon Bainbridge written for the Choir of St. Mary’s, as well as working as accompanist for the Philharmonia Chorus under conductors Stefan Bevier and Yaron Traub. Passionate about teaching, Tyrone was awarded the Licentiateship diploma of Trinity College, London (LTCL) in Instrumental/Vocal Teaching with a high distinction and worked in and around London as a teacher of organ, piano, and theory. He was formerly Head of Music at Elmhurst Independent School for Boys for many years and worked as an animateur in London schools and with the London Mozart Players. Children's Choir Chorister Leader Brooke Witherite is a board certified music therapist from Clearfield, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in music therapy in 2017. After college Brooke moved to El Paso, Texas where she taught preschool music and began her music therapy career, working with people of all ages and abilities. She currently works full-time as a music therapist at Saint Joseph Villa in Flourtown Pennsylvania, in addition to teaching private piano and guitar lessons. Outside of work Brooke is a passionate keyboard/pianist in a band, and a proud dog mom to her pup Winston.Tyrone Whiting
Brooke Witherite