Photo Credit: Virginia Kemp
Bio
Music has been paramount for all of Ted Babbitt’s life. In the first grade, he began singing in a Royal School of Church Music affiliated program at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford. He now sings with the Mercer Singers at Mercer University. Ted has sung in festival choirs, all-state choirs, the Saint John’s Episcopal Church Schola and Adult Choir, was a founding member of a men’s acapella group in his high school, and has sung twice with the Litchfield County Choral Union at the Yale School of Music summer program. This summer, Ted will sing with the Berkshire Choral International group at Teatro Verdi, in Florence, Italy.
Ted is a student at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, studying music education and organ with Dr. Jack Mitchener. Ted was awarded the Jo Phelps Fabian Distinguished Music Scholarship and is excited for the many opportunities this scholarship allows. Ted began studying organ in his freshman year of high school with Scott Lamlein, and has taken lessons with Christa Rakich, Jonathan Moyer, and Christopher Houlihan.
Ted currently serves as the assistant organist/choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Macon, Georgia, co-directing the adult choir and chorister program. Ted served as the organ scholar at Saint John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, CT for four years, and served as the organist at the Church of the Transfiguration, a summer chapel in Norfolk, Connecticut for three years. Ted has also performed at Saint James Episcopal Church in West Hartford CT, the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, CT and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford CT.
As a competitor, Ted placed first in the 2022 L. Cameron Johnson Organ Competition for High School Organists: sponsored by the Northeastern Connecticut Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, after having tied for second and winning the audience favorite prize the year prior. Additionally, in March of 2022, Ted placed second in the young organists competition sponsored by the Columbia, South Carolina chapter of the American Guild of organists. He also won the prize for the best Bach performance, and the best Hymn performance. Ted looks forward to competing more in the future.
As an accompanist, Ted has accompanied groups ranging from solo vocalists, to full symphonic bands, on both piano and organ. Ted served as the rehearsal accompanist for the Saint John's Episcopal Church Choir School and Adult Choir. In addition to general Sunday repertoire, Ted was the rehearsal accompanist for their concert of "Darkness into Light", featuring movements from the Mozart Requiem, works by Vaughan Williams, Lauridsen, and more. This summer, Ted takes pleasure in being the collaborative pianist for the Fresh Voices of Summer Concert Tour featuring Sarah Marze, Soprano.
Ted has studied the art of conducting with Rachel Antonucci, the CHS band director and K-12 music chair, and Brian Jones the 7-12 choral teacher. He has conducted the CHS freshman band, the CHS Chamber Singers, the Saint John’s Episcopal Church Adult choir and Schola, and the Christ Church Choir. Ted looks forward to studying conducting with Dr. Stanley Roberts and Dr. Brittan Braddock at Mercer University.
Outside of music, Ted loves theater and worked as a technical director in his school. Ted is also an Eagle Scout and served as a leader in his troop for many years. Ted loves the outdoors, especially camping and hiking with his friends.