Announcing the Call of Our Director of Music & Organist

Dear Trinity Church and friends,

 

Grace and Peace from God in Christ as our Epiphany season continues. I hope this message finds you and yours well.

This morning I write with the thrilling word that Colin Lynch will serve as Trinity’s next Director of Music and Organist – thanks be to God! Colin will begin his tenure on the First Sunday of Lent: February 26, 2023.

Announcing this exciting outcome, I am grateful for the collaboration and support of the Director of Music Search Committee, who reached the endorsement of Colin “with gladness and singleness of heart.” We received applications from both coasts and England, and we spent time with a formidable field of candidates. Even so, Colin distinguished himself with his sterling musicianship and ambitious approach to repertoire, as well as the faithful character that has made his leadership so effective during this interim year and the decade prior.

The Search Committee’s process – taking deliberate steps back to consider our choral program, our choirs’ place in the city, and the ministry of music more broadly – was a positive one from which we all gained a great deal. We learned there is exciting choral ministry underway in The Episcopal Church, and, among the variety of ways music can convene God’s people, we confirmed the standout nature of Trinity’s ministry. Colin sparked the moment of greatest electricity in our entire process when he shared daring ideas for the enrichment of our program – strategies for us to grow in numbers, diversity, and impact. As Colin begins in this new role, I look forward to partnering with him and collaborating with staff and parish leaders to stoke those creative energies.

Plans are now underway for an Eastertide celebration of our new Director and this new ministry. Please read below a letter of introduction from Colin and do join me in congratulating him on this call.

With high hopes,

The Rev. Morgan S. Allen
Rector

 

 

Dear Trinity,

It is difficult to believe that it is almost twelve years since I packed up my life at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH and moved south to take up the role as Assistant, later Associate Director of Music at Trinity. I had been serving as the Director of Chapel Music and Organist at an elite, private boarding school—leading the choirs and music for daily chapel services, supervising a dorm of teenagers, coaching sports (yes, you read that correctly!), and presiding over formal seated dinners. I loved my time in this rarefied academic world, and yet I always knew that it was not where God was really calling me to serve. I felt an itch to return to parish ministry where I could work with a broader range of musicians, particularly younger choristers, in a joyful, Christ-centered community. I have found those opportunities in overwhelming abundance here at Trinity Church. Reflecting on these twelve years, I know for certain that this call was true.

Trinity’s storied music program, having been described as the beating heart of our parish community, is one of great distinction within the wider Episcopal Church. Acknowledging the work of so many illustrious predecessors, it is a long tradition in which we should take great pride. So too, I have enjoyed the ever-evolving nature of our music and worship traditions in Copley Square. In my twelve years at Trinity, we have seen our relatively nascent chorister program flourish, our technological developments expand to reach a broader online community, and the increasing inclusion of more diverse voices in our choir and in our repertoire--to name just a few such accomplishments of shared ministry and collaboration. This freshness is what has kept me engaged and enthusiastic about my work here for so many years.

Gratefully, Trinity’s search process has challenged me to discern how God can best use my gifts and what might be waiting over the horizon for this great community. Having had a foretaste of that future in these last months, I am sure that God still has much planned for us.

In the Bible, twelve is a perfect number (used 187 times!), often symbolizing wholeness or completion—the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve apostles, the twelve gates of heaven, for example. After twelve years together, may it be so as we turn the page to the next chapter of musical life at Trinity.

I accept this new role as Director of Music with great joy, humility, and honor and I thank you for your continued prayers and support. Erik and I are so happy to be a part of this beloved community called Trinity Church.

With joy and gratitude,

Colin