Third Church Choral Scholars 2021-22

Our wonderful Choral Scholars have provided an invaluable contribution to our worship life over many years, but particularly during the past eighteen months of the pandemic, when choral and congregational singing have been limited. Choral Scholars have offered inspiring music as soloists, as a small choral ensemble, and as the core of our virtual choir offerings through these challenging months. We are indebted to them for their musicality and flexibility during this time, and we look forward to their continued leadership as the Chancel Choir gradually returns to worship.

This year we’re pleased to welcome a new Bass Choral Scholar, Peter Schoellkopff:

Peter Schoellkopff is in his final year of undergraduate study at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff. Originally from Madison, New Jersey, he started singing in choirs and studying the piano and French horn as a young child. He attended the American Boychoir School, with which he toured in 30 states and performed with the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition to his study of vocal performance, Peter has been cast in several operas at Eastman. He plans to continue his study of voice and opera in graduate school and aspires to perform professionally in opera as well as choral ensembles. Aside from singing, Peter enjoys cooking, hiking, and playing the guitar.

 

And we welcome back Ori Marcu as Alto II Choral Scholar, who sang with us in the 2019-20 program year. Ori is a mezzo-soprano from Portland, Oregon in her third year of undergraduate study at Eastman. In her spare time Ori enjoys hanging out with her cat, Duck. 

We’re thrilled to have our other Choral Scholars returning for this season, as well:

Heather Holmquest, soprano

Andrea McGaugh, alto I

Stephen Beigner, tenor

Joshua Sheppard, baritone

Great music is in store this season, and we’re grateful for the presence of the Choral Scholars to help bring that to life!