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The Vance Family Sings... At St. John's Versailles

It’s a passion that runs deep – a passion for singing choral music in the Anglican tradition. For Moss Vance, daughter Laura Vance Gibson and granddaughter Anne-Claire Elizabeth Gibson, it’s a passion that began for each as toddlers, and has taken them into numerous Episcopal choirs and other vocal ensembles. The three generations share their passion as members of the choir at St. John’s, Versailles.

Moss Vance has been a member of the St. John’s choir since 1949, when Mrs. A.B. Chandler, choir director, invited the college student to join the choir, and gave him special instruction. Later, Vance studied voice at the University of Kentucky with Professor James King. Laura Vance Gibson and her friend Tricia Nave joined the St. John’s adult choir at age 13. Bored with the Junior Choir, they sought and won the permission of the indomitable Mrs. Chandler, who asked the girls if they were capable of making a “real commitment, being faithful in attendance and following general rules of good behavior.” Gibson enjoyed participating in high school musicals, and singing at St. John’s “whenever I was home from college.” She has enjoyed singing at St. Paul’s in Alexandria, Va., and at Good Shepherd, Lexington, before returning to St. John’s in 2004. Anne- Claire Gibson is 11 – the youngest person ever to be a member of the St. John’s adult choir. Her impressive musical resume includes training and singing with Kaki Hester at Clays Mill Elementary School, Pat Arnold and John Linker at Good Shepherd, Lexington, Ruth Witt at St. Michael’s, Lexington, and Mrs. Wilson and Dr. Hetzel with the Lexington Singers Children’s Advanced Choir.

Grandfather/father, mother and daughter each began singing “very young.” Moss recalls singing with his mother and brother in a small country church when he was a pre-schooler, harmonizing at home with an older brother and sister, and with uncles, aunts and cousins. “There was always music,” he says. Laura remembers singing “all of the time, making up songs for my dolls, singing in Latin at St. Leo’s School, and loving the hymns at the Baptist Church with my grandparents. There was always music being played and sung at home. Parties at our house always wound up with everyone singing around the piano.” Anne- Claire was three years old when she began singing, starting formal instruction with Pat Arnold at Good Shepherd at age four. “She was very motivating, fun and a good experience,” Anne-Claire declares.

Mrs. Chandler, says Vance, was the “greatest influence” on him as both teacher and performer. Later, Tim Oliver “introduced the choir to a vast range of music and shaped us into a group capable of singing for the Queen of England in May 1986,” when she worshipped at St. John’s. “Stephen Leist, our new choir director, continues to inspire and challenge us with his selection of music and outstanding abilities as a teacher.” Laura Gibson recounts experiences with directors such as St. Paul’s Mike Hertz who was “funny, serious, knew how to get the best out of us;” Good Shepherd’s Robert Burton and John Linker and an interim with Stephen Leist which offered a new level of professionalism and opportunities such as singing Faure’s Requiem , and performing at Washington National Cathedral. She also sang in the Lexington Community Chorus for several years, where she learned more about blend, watching music and conductor at the same time — and just relaxing and having fun while singing. She credits her directors and great altos such as Good Shepherd’s Debbie Jackson, Margaret Jones, Sue Wells and Sarah-Charles Wright with growing in confidence – “I really feel capable of singing nearly anything now.” As a third-grader, Anne-Claire was encouraged by Ruth Witt to “do little solos, to read music, and to count.”

“My most vivid memories of Christmas and Easter revolve around singing at St. John’s,” says Laura, “especially in my teens, when emotion is most palpable. Singing the Oldroyd Service music from the old hymnal still makes me cry. I could really feel the presence of God in that church (then) — and (since) coming back to St. John’s. Joy is the best way to describe what I feel.”

It is a joy that is shared with others in her family, including husband Jeff Gibson, who grew up singing in the Junior Choir at Good Shepherd, and is also singing at St. John’s. For Anne-Claire, director Leist has “had a major effect on my singing career. We’re singing much more advanced pieces, and that’s good for me.” Laura loves “the rest of the choir and feel a real spiritual kinship with them. It’s a laid-back atmosphere with high expectations. Just because we’re small doesn’t mean that we are not capable of singing anything and everything well. They’ve even convinced me that I can sing solos. I know they’re supporting me completely, and I’ve gained so much more confidence from their attitude.” The trio name Bruckner’s Christus Factus Est as the “best piece we’ve sung together.” Moss Vance’s favorite thing is knowing that this choir experience will have “meaning for a lifetime” for his granddaughter. He also loves the choir’s “enthusiasm and willingness to work hard.” For Laura, it’s “being back at St. John’s – I love my church! I love my choir! Getting to sing with Dad and the Naves again, Stephen, Alan. But what I love best about us all being here is that we all sing different parts and it’s fun to stand together and listen to each other.”

What have they learned from each other, as three generations become performing peers?

“I’ve learned from my Mom and Grandfather to make my voice heard – loud – and to SMILE!” says Anne-Claire.

“What I’ve learned from Dad—singing is my way of praying. ‘He who sings prays twice.’ What I’ve learned from Anne-Claire is sing out! She loves me even if I don’t do everything perfectly; JOY!” says Laura.

“You’re never too young to start — and maybe never too old to continue,” concludes Moss.

Advocate Online Staff:

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