The Choir
St Mary's Choir is always looking for new members to swell the ranks, both
trebles and back row voices. Singing experience is desirable, although not
essential.
We sing a wide repertoire at St Mary's and
sing regularly at other venues. We have sung at:
Ely Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
and venues in Germany
We are singing at York Minster next academic year 2012
Contact Director of Music, Karl Dorman, on 07870 938167 or karljdorman@hotmail.com for an informal
voice test
For many years St Mary’s has enjoyed a long musical tradition that has enhanced church services and given inspiration to all who have worshipped here. In a very literal sense, generations of singers and other musicians have not only received support and encouragement for their music making, but in many cases have gone on to use this experience as a springboard for a lifetime of musical fulfilment.
It is our objective to maintain and develop this established heritage and preserve it for those who will follow. We are one of the few parish churches that maintain a treble line consisting of boy Choristers.
Our repertoire ranges from Plainsong to music by Tudor composers through to contemporary Motets.
What musical activities take place?
St Mary’s reflects the broad Anglican choral repertoire within a traditional
liturgy and maintains a choir of about 10 boys, lady altos and men.
The choir sings at the two main services on Sundays: the 9.30 am Parish
Eucharist and Choral Evensong at 6.30pm. At every service we sing
an anthem or motet.
What does choir membership involve?
Primarily it requires a passion for music, dedication and commitment, as
well as the inherent qualities of enthusiasm and the ability to sing well.
Life as a treble chorister usually begins at around the age of 7 or 8 when
they are introduced to the choir routine and begin to learn new repertoire.
After this has been successfully established they are expected to commence
the normal attendance timetable of Wednesday evening practice and two
Sunday services. We operate the RSCM badge system.
The regular choir get time off when St
Mary's Ladies Choir, directed by Pam Akhurst, lead the Sunday worship and
perform an anthem once a month. Recruits to the Ladies Choir are also
welcome!
The Boys Choir football team is soon to
be back on the pitch, and choir members also support and take part in the
activities of St Mary's Youth Link (SMYL) with its exciting days out, water
fights and camping trips!
The Choir are supported by the Rector and
PCC
Rehearsals:
- Trebles: 6 - 7.30 pm Wednesday
- Ladies: 7.45 – 9.00 pm Wednesday
- Altos, Tenors, Basses: 8.00 - 9.15pm Friday
Sunday services
- Parish Eucharist, including practice, 8.50 -
10.45am
- Evensong, including practice, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Our Director of Music
Karl
Dorman began his training as a chorister at Rugby Parish
Church under the
direction of Arnold Pugh. He was later selected to be the Organ Scholar at
the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick.
Karl was awarded an Eric Thompson Scholarship to study at the Royal Academy
of Music with Patrick Russill and Nicolas Kynaston. Whilst a student at the RAM, he was winner of
the United Music Publishers Organ Prize. Karl concluded study at the
Birmingham Conservatoire.
In
September 2005, he succeeded Kerry Beaumont as a Deputy Organist at Guildford
Cathedral where he regularly deputised for the then Sub Organist David
Davies, under the direction of Stephen Farr. He was simultaneously appointed
Director of Music at Merton Parish Church
and joined Beddington
Parish Church
in May 2011.
Karl
is associate conductor of the chamber choir Sine Nomine. He has been Chorus-master of the Rugby
School Philharmonic and at present works as an Organ tutor at Wimbledon College. He has performed at
Westminster Cathedral. Recent performances have included Ely and Coventry
Cathedrals and York Minster.
The Organs at St. Mary's
Our fine Lewis Organ housed in a case by the workshop of William Morris was overhauled by Willis in the 1990s and is currently in the care of Harrisons of Durham. The PCC are budgeting for its next overhaul some time in the next decade.
The Chamber organ, situated in the North Aisle was a gift to the Parish.
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