Background

Established in 2007, The Copley Singers are a semi-professional choral ensemble in New England. They perform at various public and private events, drawing on their collective experience, including many members who have sung at Boston's Trinity Church. Rooted in a deep love for choral singing and its healing power, the Copley Singers have showcased their talent in venues throughout New England. Noteworthy performances include the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at New York's Trinity Wall Street, and the Boston Prayer Service in 2014 following the Marathon Bombings, where the group had the privilege of performing in the presence of President and Mrs. Obama.

Charitable Concerts

Many people have limited access to the choral music that we want to share, for financial and/or other reasons.  We understand that, and we are committed to making our music available to people who want to hear it despite the various barriers that may stand in their way.  With that in mind, we started a special charitable fund in 2023 in honor of our Co-Founder, Tim Russell.  The Tim Russell Choral Fund (TRCF) is designed to enable pro bono, charitable concerts for communities that would otherwise not have the opportunity to hear us sing. To date, these charitable concerts include:

  • Two years of Holiday concerts in the Suffolk County Prison, singing for both inmates and guards;

  • A 2024 Holiday concert at the Allston Abbey, a newly formed collaborative Episcopal mission.

To support us as we prepare these events, please consider making a donation to the TRCF. 

Our Director

Andrew E. Clarkson, Director was named the second Artistic Director of the Copley Singers in September of 2019. Andy also serves as Director of Music and Organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookline. He is the founding director of The AltarNatives concert choir, and The Hymn Sing Ministry, an effort started at Trinity Church Boston to bring choral music to loved ones unable to make it to church. Andy studied piano with, among others, Anita Frank (classical), John Mehegan (jazz), George Shearing (jazz), Patricia Zander (classical), Kirk Nurock (jazz), and Liz Gorrill (jazz).

He studied saxophone with Lennie Popkin, singing with Craig Wich, conducting with Akiko Fujimoto, and organ with Brian Jones. In 1993 he began composing, with compositions to date for piano, organ, solo voice, and choir, with a particular focus on sacred choral music.

Andy’s work is published by Paraclete Press and Good Faith Press (goodfaithpress.org).

Our Founders

Brian Jones (1943-2023), founding Director of the Copley Singers, was also Emeritus Director of Music & Organist at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, where he served from 1984-2004, and built a widely-acclaimed program and numerous recordings that attracted attention throughout the United States and abroad.

Tim Russell (1943-2023), our first President, met Brian at the Dedham Choral Society, then followed him to Trinity Church, where he sang for 15 years with the choir and helped arrange multiple international tours. He had a deep love of sacred choral music, which prompted the group to create the Tim Russell Choral Fund