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St Paul’s Choir of Men and Boys

The Choir of Men and Boys is recognised in Akron, throughout the U.S. and the world for its high standards in maintaining a living Anglican Choral tradition. It sings Choral Eucharist or Choral Matins at 11:00 every Sunday as well as numerous Choral Evensongs throughout the year. Several tours and special events are planned each season.

The St Cecilia Girls' Choir

The St. Cecilia Girls Choir sings weekly at the 9:30 Sunday service and has recently given world première performances of works by gifted young British composers. Together with the boys the girls have appeared live on stage at Clevelands Severance Hall with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. The men sing with the girls on a regular basis, allowing the girls a more demanding repertoire.

St Paul’s Chapel Choir

The Chapel Choir is an auditioned group of mixed adults, which was formed in 2001. Besides extending a singing opportunity to adult women, the group strives to complement and enhance the liturgical life of St. Paul's, providing music for some of the major feasts in of the Church's Year. Services are often held in the more intimate setting of the Chapel.

Jamie Hitel

Jamie Hitel is the Organist and Choirmaster at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. He was born in 1967 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, where he received his early music education. At the age of 14 he became Director of Music at St Alban’s Church in Westcliff, Essex, a position which he held until 1985, whereupon he began studying for his degree at Cambridge University. He studied economics and theology, whilst undertaking an organ scholarship at Robinson College. During this time he studied organ with David Sanger and James O’Donnell (currently organist at Westminster Abbey). At Cambridge his other duties as organ scholar included directing the Chapel Choir, conducting orchestral concerts, and arranging annual choir tours throughout Europe.

Upon completion of his studies, Jamie moved to the West coast of Norway to work as a church organist in two different locations.

Following 3 years in Norway, Jamie returned to England to take up the position of Director of Music at Waltham Abbey, Essex - an ancient church dating back to 1060, where his predecessors included the eminent Thomas Tallis. He worked in Waltham Abbey for 8 years, during which time he studied organ with Peter Hurford and Kevin Bowyer, and developed and expanded the church’s music programme, making 3 CD recordings of the choir and organ, culminating in the disc For the Fallen, Music for Remembrance (Lammas Label, 1998), which received critical acclaim. In August 1999, Jamie reached the finals of the Franz Liszt International Organ Competition in Budapest, Hungary.

In 2000 Jamie accepted the position at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio, home to the Royal School of Church Music in America. His duties here include directing the Choir of Men and Boys, The Saint Cecilia Girls’ Choir, St Paul’s Chorus, The Madrigal Singers, and the newly-formed Chapel Choir (auditioned mixed voices). He is Artistic Director of St Paul’s Concert Series, showcase to some of the finest young musical talent in the world. Jamie maintains a full schedule of services, choral concerts, solo recitals, touring, and recording. His latest solo organ recording, Sounds Messianic (Lammas 2003), features “Les Corps Glorieux” by Olivier Messiaen and the “Organ Choral Number 1 in E Major” by César Franck.

In his spare time, Jamie enjoys running, computer programming, cookery and art.

For up-to-date information, please visit www.jamiehitel.com

Jeannie Kienzle

Born in 1954 in Dayton, Ohio, Jeannie Kienzle is the Associate Organist and Choirmaster at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. She graduated from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and received her Master of Music in Organ Performance from Kent State University. In 1984 she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She has studied organ with Robert Stofer, Paul Jones, Donald McDonald, John Ferguson and Roberta Gary.

Jeannie has given organ recitals throughout the United States, including a performance at the National Convention for the Association of Anglican Musicians, and has also performed a series of concerts in Germany. She has held organist positions in New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon and Tennessee. While living in Tennessee Jeannie specialised in teaching children, conducting numerous workshops and festivals for children’s choirs. At St Paul’s Jeannie is currently developing a music training programme for young children. In her spare time Jeannie enjoys running marathons.