MUSIC AT ST ANDREW'S

For many years music has formed an important part of our worship at St Andrew's.  Music at morning services is led by a small but very dedicated choir. While our traditional music is normally accompanied by the organ, our Music Group often provides the backing for more contemporary music. The core of the Group is piano/keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and percussion, but others often join us. There is also a junior choir which joins with the adult choir for family services, and sings for many weddings.

The music we use comes from a very wide range of traditions and periods, from Renaissance to 21st Century, from Byrd to Graham Kendrick.  Any one service may contain music from a variety of styles and period, the guiding principle always being that the music must reflect the theme and mood of the service.  Some of the music we use has been written or arranged "in house", including the three different settings for the Eucharist composed by David Fuge, our Director of Music.    

Several times a year, principally on Good Friday and at Christmas, there will be a major musical event.  In recent years the Good Friday music has included Handel's Messiah, Stainer's Crucifixion, Fauré's Requiem and works by John Tavener.  The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is one of the high points of the musical year, and includes a mixture of old favourites and lesser-known Christmas music.

The adult and junior choirs practice together every Friday evening from 7.30 to 8.30, and the adult choir then continue for a further half hour until 9.00. There are no choir practices during August. There is also a brief warm-up time on Sunday mornings at 9.30 before the main service.  The choir has vacancies for singers of all voices, so if you think you might like to come and sing with us, David Fuge would love to hear from you.  He may be contacted on 01932 868174 or by  

 

Listen to our choir

As we have said above, our choir performs music from a wide variety of styles. However because almost all modern church music is subject to copyright, we are only free to reproduce the more traditional music that is out of copyright.

Listen the following:
Blessed be the God and Father by Samuel Wesley

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