Music and Choir

Kenneth Mitchum Scholarship
A music sholarship, the Kenneth Mitchum Scholarship, is available to a college student pursuing a degree in music.

Eligibility for Scholarship 
A.  Applicant must be Orthodox 
B.  Applicant must be a member of the Eastern Federation of the Diocese of New Jersey 
C.  Applicant must be or have been a member of an Orthodox choir 
D.  Applicant must have a grade point average of 2.75 or better and belong to one of the following categories: 
     1.  The applicant must be enrolled in an accredited School of Music 
     2.  The applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate enrolled in an accredited College or 
          University majoring or minoring in music 

DOWNLOAD  an application for the Kenneth Mitchum Scholarship (WORD format)

Adult Choir Information

Rehearsals: Wed 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Director: Renée Skrevanos Root (see info below)

Accompanists: Jim Bostaph and Connie Anastasiou

Choir Photo (above ... left to right)
Back Row: George Anas, Scott Root, Jimmy Pahno, Caran Zambas, Tony Zambas (Chanter)
3rd Row: Alexa Garrison, Sonja Eaton, Amanda Marou, Mary Anas, Sandra Stirbet, Gary Nicholls
2nd Row: Joanna Vallas, Mary Ann Beler, Jackie Anas, Joanna Bossetti, Maria Tsoucalas, RaNetta Mitchum, Athena Savvas
Front: Renee Root (Director), Fr. George Chioros, Connie Anastasiou (Organist), Jim Bostaph (Organist)
Absent: Frank DiMaio, Charlie Husson, Petra Radulovic

Youth Choir Information
Rehearsals: Sundays immediately
following Sunday School
Director: Renée Skrevanos Root
(see information below)
Membership: Open to any children in
grades 4-8

Mission Statement: The purpose of the Saints Constantine and Helen Youth Choir is to glorify God through song while promoting a lifetime love of music, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We will strive for excellence in singing and understanding the rich musical heritage of the Orthodox Church. Through the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Blessed Saints, we will endeavor to imitate their Christian love and character in all that we do.

Choir Director: Renée Skrevanos Root

Renée Skrevanos Root, mezzo soprano, received her Bachelor and Master of Music in Voice Performance from Indiana University School of Music. She has appeared as soloist in opera, oratorio and concert performances with such groups as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and Chorale, the Evansville Philharmonic and the Breckenridge Music Institute. She has twice been a District winner and Regional finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, as well as, the Colorado Young Artist Competition.

Renée has been teaching voice since 1978 and has been on the faculties of the University of Colorado at Denver, Western Kentucky University, Drake University, and Christopher Newport University. She has been the recipient of 2 awards for teaching excellence from the University of Colorado at Denver and was included in the Who¹s Who of America¹s Teachers 2000. Her students have won the NATSAA Auditions, the NATS Auditions, the MTNA auditions and the Vera Scammon SOS Competition, to name a few. They have sung with regional opera companies here and abroad, including Virginia Opera, have been selected as Young Artists with companies like the Aspen Music Festival and the Utah Opera Festival, and have toured nationally and internationally with productions of broadway shows (Phantom of the Opera, Ms. Saigon, Chorus Line).

Renée has served as a lecturer with the Wilbur James Gould Voice Research Center at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (Denver, CO) and with the ENT Clinic of Iowa (West Des Moines, IA) presenting seminars on vocal health to professional voice users. She also serves as a singing voice specialist and has been very successful in helping singers to rehabilitate voices damaged by illness or abuse. She is also in demand as a masterclass clinician and adjudicator.

Renée is currently director of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Adult and Youth Choirs in Newport News and is Virginia Supervisor for the EFGOC. She maintains a private voice studio in her home and is married to professional baritone, Scott Root. They have one adult son, Nick.