St. Benedict’s Forming Choir in Preparation for Inaugural Services – Local resident Leslie Boyette named Organist/Choirmaster –

ATLANTA, Ga., November 20, 2007 - St. Benedict's Episcopal Church of New Vinings, Ga., today announced that it is forming a choir and has hired an Organist/Choirmaster in preparation for its inaugural church services on January 13, 2008. Leslie D. Boyette, Jr., an experienced organist and choirmaster with a Master's degree in Sacred Music, has joined St. Benedict's effective immediately to establish the choir and to lead the church's music program going forward.

"Music reflects the heart and soul of a church, and Leslie brings to St. Benedict's more than 20 years of choir leadership experience and a deep passion about spiritual music," commented the Rev. Lang Lowrey, Vicar of St. Benedict's. "We envision a small but spirited choir in the beginning that supports our mission and invigorates our congregation, with long-term goals of adding instruments and forming a children's choir. Ours will be an inclusive choir without auditions - we welcome all comers - and Leslie's diverse background that includes positions at Methodist and Presbyterian churches will enhance that effort."

Boyette recently completed a 12-year tenure as Organist/Choirmaster at St. Andrew's In-The-Pines Episcopal Church in Peachtree City, Ga. Prior to that, he held similar positions at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in South Carolina as well as at Glen Haven United Methodist Church and Doraville A.R.P. Church in the Atlanta area. Boyette is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians and the American Guild of Organists. He has a Master of Sacred Music degree from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University.

"As a resident of the Vinings area, I am excited to be joining St. Benedict's at this formative stage and taking a leadership role in developing a robust music program," noted Leslie Boyette, St. Benedict's new Organist/Choirmaster. "With less than two months to prepare for Epiphany services on January 13, our immediate tasks include recruiting members for the choir, selecting musical styles, and acquiring an organ and a piano. I encourage current St. Benedict's members, along with anyone planning to join the church, to consider participating in the choir and serving a special role in St. Benedict's start-up."

St. Benedict's recently hosted a reception among interested members to welcome Boyette and to discuss initial plans for the choir. To inquire about joining the choir, please call Boyette at 404-992-4957 or email him at lesliedboyette@hotmail.com.

St. Benedict's is a mission parish progressing toward the launch of church services in January 2008. A thriving, growing congregation is engaged in a wide range of spiritual activities, including children's, youth, women's, and men's groups; an innovative Vocational Ministry; partnerships with several community non-profit organizations; the recently announced Holy Comforter partnership; and now the development of a music program and formation of a choir.

About St. Benedict's
The mission of St. Benedict's Episcopal Church of New Vinings, Ga. is to come together as a community to grow in faith and share Christ's love with an ever-changing world. St. Benedict's also is committed to partnering with service and support organizations in the area to improve the lives of area residents by providing both spiritual and physical assistance. St. Benedict's is led by the Rev. Lang Lowery, formerly associate rector at St. Anne's Atlanta. To learn more about St. Benedict's, including how to join this exciting spiritual journey, visit them on the Web at MySaintB.org or call 678-279-4300.

 

A Letter to the Choir from Leslie Boyette