Welcome

Welcome and thank you for your interest in The New Day Singers!
Based in Greensboro, NC, this versatile vocal ensemble has been performing together since 2022.

The Vision

The New Day Singers was fashioned after iconic British a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers. Our aim is to inspire participation in the choral arts and build community through programs that share engaging and accessible music while also providing unique singing opportunities for the members of the group.

The Lineup

Hopefully if you’re here, you know of The King’s Singers and are familiar with their lineup of
two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones, and a bass.

The New Day Singers has a slightly different lineup:
one soprano, one alto, two tenors, one baritone, and a bass.

Meet the Singers

Catherine Clifton

Catherine Clifton (she/her), soprano, was born into a musical family and doesn't remember a time she wasn't singing. From participating in every choir available in every school she attended to founding and directing a cappella choirs in college, from touring in England and France to seeking private study during her postgraduate years, Catherine has spent her life seeking new musical experiences and working to be a valuable member of an ensemble. In addition to her exciting new venture with The New Day Singers, Catherine serves as a section leader at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC, and is entering her eighth season with the Bel Canto Company. She has also been a member of the early music ensemble Musica Anima and worked at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in High Point, NC.

Catherine holds a BA in English and vocal music from Sewanee: The University of the South, and an MFA in creative writing (fiction) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She works as Director of Professional Resources for the National Board for Certified Counselors and is managing editor of their online academic journal, The Professional Counselor. Catherine loves reading, attending sporting events (or just yelling at the TV), and taking high tea at the O. Henry Hotel. She lives in Greensboro with her fiance, Robin; their cats, Hemiola and Shiloh; and their Labrador, Luna.

Rachel Sommers

Rachel Phillips Sommers, alto, is thrilled and humbled to be a founding member of The New Day Singers. She moved to Greensboro in 2012 and has been performing in various venues ever since. Her first foray into performing in the area was in the Community Theatre of Greensboro’s (CTG) production of Cabaret as Fraulein Kost. From there she took on the role of Smee in CTG’s production of Peter Pan. She is most proud of her work as Ursula in The Little Mermaid. Rachel is singing with the Bel Canto Company for her 10th season, serves as a section leader for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, and has also been a member of the early music ensemble, Musica Anima.

Rachel holds a BS in vocal music education from Western Carolina University. She works as the Graphics Team Lead for the National Board for Certified Counselors, and gleefully works alongside fellow singer, Catherine Clifton. Rachel lives happily in Greensboro with her husband, Erik, and together they share a wonderful home with their two cats, Empurror “Bert” Pawpatine and The Notorious K.I.T., AKA Kitty “Kit” Smalls.

Sean Toso

Sean Toso, tenor 1, is overjoyed at the opportunity to be a founding member of The New Day Singers. Following his introduction to choral music as a member of the Metropolitan Boys Choir of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Sean has been involved in some form of ensemble-based singing ever since. Throughout middle and high school, he continued to grow a passion for music, singing in church choirs, school choirs, and musical theatre productions. While earning his undergraduate degree, Sean served as the president of the Concert Choir and the music director of his a cappella group, The Statesmen, for two years each. As a soloist, his credits include performing with the Boundless Bodies Contemporary Ballet company, singing in the world premiere of Scott Eggert’s Memoria with the Penn State Concert Choir, and being selected to sing the national anthem at the 2017 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, AZ. Sean currently serves as a section leader and Assistant Music Director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC, is singing with the Bel Canto Company for his third season, and is the co-director/music director for the Western Rockingham Middle School Drama Program.

Sean holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from UNC Greensboro and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Penn State University. He is enjoying the newlywed life in Greensboro with his wonderful wife, Olivia, playing board games and crafting charcuterie boards in his free time.

Danny Paparozzi

Danny Paparozzi sings tenor 2 and is super excited to make music with The New Day Singers! Danny started singing choral music at the age of 8 as part of a gospel choir in Wilmington, NC, where he would continue to be active in the choral music scene both through his high school and college choirs, as well as with local community ensembles. Beyond choral music, Danny was an actively engaged member of Wilmington’s musical theater and opera scenes. Upon finishing his vocal performance degree in 2018 at UNC Wilmington, Danny moved to Greensboro, where he’s spent the last five years working as a private voice instructor and musical director at Stagelights Theater Company. Danny keeps up with his own singing as a hobby and personal passion, and has participated in two fall seasons with Bel Canto Company in addition to singing at FPC Greensboro as a member of the chancel choir. Other than making music with other people, Danny’s favorite activities are playing video games and spending time with his wife!

Zeke Duncan

Ezekial (Zeke) Duncan, bass, is a Winston-Salem native, and is very passionate about music and music education. Zeke has served as co-director of The Acafellas, an all-male a capella ensemble; founder and music director of The Win-Pipes, a co-ed a capella ensemble; President of the Tri-M Music Honors Society; and a music and theater intern for the WSFCS Summer Enrichment program. Zeke is currently serving as a choral scholar at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Outside of music, Zeke loves hanging out with friends and traveling, and he can usually be caught working at Chick-Fil-A, where he is a shift leader. Zeke is very excited to be here with The New Day Singers!

Donate

The New Day Singers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit; donations are tax deductible. Any contribution you can make will help offset music costs, singer fees, and recording expenses. Thank you for supporting The New Day Singers!

There are three ways you can donate:

1) Via Venmo: @TheNewDaySingers

2) Through the Donate button below:

DONATE

3) By check, mailed to the following address:
The New Day Singers
P.O. Box 2442
Reidsville, NC 27323

Annual Sponsorships

Please consider becoming an annual sponsor of The New Day Singers!
Each giving level takes its name from a favorite song or lyric from our first two seasons. More information on each giving level, including sponsorship perks, can be found by expanding the menu items below. All sponsorship gifts are tax deductible. If you would like to become an annual sponsor, please email info@newdaysingers.org.

  • "Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est..."

    Named after the Latin for "charity and love," an annual gift of $100 or more allows NDS to increase its reach by providing travel and marketing funds.

    Caritas et Amor Sponsors are listed in concert programs and sent first notices about concerts and other happenings.

  • "'Tis the gift to be simple..."

    Recognizing and fulfilling the most basic needs that can bring the greatest joy, an annual gift of $250 or more provides one singer’s sheet music for a year.

    Simple Gift Sponsors receive the benefits of the Caritas et Amor sponsorship PLUS exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and clips.

  • "Cantate Domino canticum novum..."

    An annual gift of $500 or more covers a quarter of the annual salary of a New Day singer, giving them a sustainable way to continue singing a new song!

    Cantate Sponsors receive the benefits of the Simple Gift sponsorship PLUS their name (and/or business logo, if applicable) is featured in programs and displayed on the NDS website.

  • "With blue skies ahead, yes, I'm on my way..."

    Just like the hope and excitement of a wide open blue sky, an annual gift of $1,000 or more propels us into the future by covering half of the annual expenses of a New Day singer.

    Blue Skies Ahead Sponsors receive the benefits of the Cantate sponsorship PLUS an advertisement or special message of their choice in concert programs.

  • "You are the new day!"

    Carrying the name of the group itself, our top sponsorship level is an indication of your faith in the future of this ensemble. An annual gift of $2,000 or more covers the approximate annual expenses of a New Day singer, ensuring that there will be many more "new days" to come!

    New Day Sponsors receive the benefits of the Blue Skies Ahead sponsorship PLUS an invitation to one open rehearsal per concert series.

The New Day Singers is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt corporation. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the North Carolina State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.

Upcoming Performances

Stay tuned for our next performance announcement!

Contact

For questions and inquiries, you may contact us at info@newdaysingers.org.

Alumni

Sam Thienemann founded The New Day Singers in 2022, though he dreamed of the group and started working on its inception many, many years before. As an avid King’s Singers devotee and a member of vocal ensembles from the age of two, Sam was the perfect person to bring The New Day Singers to life, and his enthusiasm and passion are matchless. Having spent the first few decades of his life attending and traveling the world with The American Boychoir School, singing across the United States, Japan, and Taiwan; performing with groups such as The New York Philharmonic, The Boston Symphony, The Vienna Philharmonic, and Cantus; performing with Chamber Singers and performing with and then serving as president of The University Singers at the University of Virginia; returning to The American Boychoir to serve as Tour Manager; and singing nine seasons with Bel Canto Company and two seasons with Greensboro Master Chorale, Sam’s musical and professional experience has been an incredible asset to NDS. Sam stepped away from the group in 2024, but we are looking forward to calling him up to the stage (to his great chagrin) at many a future concert!