About Us
EST. 1957
Founded in 1957, Choir School has brought generations of Christians together through the beautiful spirit of music.
This weekend of singing, fellowship, fun, playing, eating, and learning is foundation to the development of both young musicians, and young Christians.
Our large and diverse team of individuals works hard to ensure both the enjoyability and the efficacy of all our programming.
Planning Commitee:
Administrative Directors - Robert Taylor & Mary Louise Belyea
Registrar & Marketing - Mary Louise Belyea
Treasurer - Linda Pitman
Print Media & Transportation - Darrell James
Librarian & Historian - Lynn Mills
Fundraising & Adult Liaison - Caroline Vanicek
Camp Staff:
Nurse - Sabrina McLellan
Head Counsellors - Lily Cyr Oullette & Julia Nixon
Counsellor Liaison: Jarred Beckerton
Chaplain - Rev. Peter Gillies
Musical Director - Spencer Belyea
Guest Clinician - Michael Molloy
Collaborative Accompanist - Gibson MacMillan
If you have a passion for the work of our choir school and would like to be involved in our planning team, please reach out to the Administrative Directors.
Musical Leadership Spotlight
Spencer Belyea
A conductor, educator, organist, and church musician, Spencer has been a cornerstone of the Saint John choral community for more than 40 years. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University, a Bachelor of Education from St. Thomas University, and a diploma in Choral Conducting from the Royal School of Church Music, where he studied under renowned conductor and composer John Rutter.
Until his retirement in 2014, he served as a Music Specialist at Rothesay Netherwood School and Kennebecasis Valley schools. Since 1990, he has been Organist and Choir Master at Trinity Church, following earlier service at Portland United Church.
He has led and inspired generations of singers through his work with numerous school, church, and community choirs, including the Saint John Chorale and the Symphony New Brunswick Chorus, where he serves as Artistic Director and conducts the choir’s annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.
A Charter Life Member of the Canadian Choral Conductors Association and founding president of the New Brunswick Choral Federation, he was also honoured with the Federation’s Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to choral music in New Brunswick.
Since 2008, he has been a leader with the Diocese of Fredericton Choir School and now serves as its Music Director, where he continues to inspire singers through his energy, expertise, and lifelong passion for choral music.
Michael Molloy
Originally from Grand Falls, Newfoundland, he holds a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College, and an M.Phil. in Liturgical Studies from Drew University. As a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir, he performed with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra under internationally acclaimed conductors includingKurt Masur, Zubin Mehta, and Riccardo Muti.
After moving to Saint John in 1978, he served as Organist and Choir Director at Centenary-Queen Square United Church for twenty years and was also Music Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. In addition to his extensive work as a church musician, he enjoyed a long career as a music educator, teaching at Harbour View High School and serving as Fine Arts Consultant for School District 8, where he provided leadership and support for arts education throughout the region.
He also served with distinction in the Canadian Armed Forces Band Branch for 43 years, including as Director of Music of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Band, retiring with the rank of Captain in 2017. His contributions to music education and the arts have been recognized through numerous honours, including the New Brunswick Teachers' Association Centennial Award, a New Brunswick Day Merit Award, nomination for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Distinguished Service Award from the New Brunswick Choral Federation.
Now retired from teaching, he continues to share his love of the organ as a recitalist and performer in the Saint John community.