Enjoy our choir
St. Mary's has a strong musical tradition and the Church Choir provides music for services every Sunday. We are a friendly group of about 20 people, of all ages and varying degrees of musical knowledge. The choir leads the congregational worship and sings an anthem most Sunday mornings, and on Sunday evenings. Full Choral Evensong is sung each third Sunday of the month, and a sung Mattins appears about four times a year on fifth Sundays. The choir is also in demand for weddings and other social occasions.
Ben James is the Director of Music, and he continues to expand the choir’s repertoire while particularly encouraging unaccompanied items. Music from the Tudor age to this century is performed with enthusiasm and polish. The Church Organist is Anne Clements, much in demand as both organist and accompanist.
The choir can never have too many members, especially as it is accepted that singing in a church choir is a big commitment, and thus pressure is not put on choir members to attend all services or practices. There is no voice test or audition, but there has to be a willingness to sing together and work - usually with some fun along the way!
Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7.30 p.m. in the church - new members of all voices are encouraged to try us out.
Young people are especially welcome, and there is a Choir Club for 8-18 year olds after morning service at 11.45 a.m. in the church each Sunday led by Ben James and Louise Chatterton. The Choir Club sings at the monthly Family Service and members are invited to join the main choir when available.
Contact: Ben James on 07932 720255 or email bpjames@aol.com
St. Mary's Festival Choir is an expanded version of the Choir and performs twice a year in St Mary’s. Anyone who would like to sing, but cannot commit themselves to regular services, is welcome to join in on these occasions. Friends from the congregation and from other local churches find their way into this happy crowd. We sing a sacred cantata, such as Stainer’s “Crucifixion” on Good Friday, and a work such as Fauré’s Requiem or excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” at the beginning of November each year, raising money for local charities. We also sing carols in residential homes before Christmas.
Contact: Peter Fall on 020 8464 1239 or email peter@fallfamily.co.uk
