Photo: Robert Cassanova

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco and the Association of Anglican Musicians are pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher John Pharo as the recipient of the 2022-23 AAM Gerre Hancock Internship. The Gerre Hancock Internship program was established to create full-time mentoring opportunities for extraordinary young church musicians who demonstrate a strong interest in the music and worship of The Episcopal Church. This annual internship is jointly funded by AAM and the host institution and offers the intern ten months of practical experience through intense and intentionally formative work as part of an outstanding music program. We take special pleasure in announcing this year’s Internship as we had to postpone the program not once, but twice due to the pandemic. We also recognize that, with the departure of Canon Director of Music Benjamin Bachmann, the internship will be different than expected. However, with full confidence in both Mr. Pharo and Grace Cathedral’s clergy and staff, we know that this coming year will be formative in the best possible way.

Christopher began formal organ study under Ms. Carolyn Crossland in his hometown of Kinston, NC; and later under Mr. Andrew Scanlon and Dr. David Arcus at East Carolina University where he is pursuing his undergraduate degree in Sacred Music. Mr. Pharo has served as Organ Scholar for the Royal School of Church Music Carolina Course (2011) based in Raleigh, NC, and continues to work as a proctor (2012–present) for the RSCM Charlotte Course. Mr. Pharo has been featured on numerous concert programs in North Carolina and in 2021 was invited to be the inaugural Featured Organ Scholar for the Nantucket Community Music Center’s Annual Organ Crawl in Nantucket, MA. Mr. Pharo is currently the Organist and Choirmaster for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Goldsboro, NC. Upcoming performances include First Presbyterian in Oxford, MS, and St. Mary’s of the Hills in Blowing Rock, NC.

Christopher writes:

“I am so honored to have been selected as this year’s Gerre Hancock Intern for Grace Cathedral in San Francisco! I am so very thankful to the Association of Anglican Musicians and Grace Cathedral for this tremendous opportunity. I know this appointment comes with great responsibility, but I am looking forward to everything the clergy and music staff have to offer. Though it saddens me to be leaving St. Stephen’s parish in Goldsboro, NC, I am excited for what this next chapter brings. To my friends and family who have loved and supported me, thank you, this would not be possible without all of you.”