Do you like to sing? Would your child like to be trained to sing with others – a skill they will enjoy for life, and enjoy the fun and experience the discipline of being part of a team? We’re a friendly bunch of people who all enjoy singing, and we’re here to help with the leading of the worship, particularly the sung and spoken parts of the services. We’re always on the look out for new members (particularly juniors and men) —why not come and try us out? (Although recently, the junior section has been all-female, we would love to include some boys in the choir.)
The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, which helps us with the selection and acquisition of suitable new music, and also provides training courses. The juniors are developed using the “Voice for Life” scheme (http://www.rscm.com/education/vfl/trainingScheme.php) which provides material, and also sets the goals of achieving the different coloured ribbons for their medals, to show that they have attained particular targets and standards.
It’s not all hard work, and we have a number of social outings during the year, usually including a visit to Alton Towers (the juniors are paid for out of the choir funds); often ice skating or ten-pin bowling; and a trip to the cinema (for example, to see the latest “Harry Potter” film!). Some years ago, we had a few activity weekends away at “Snow’s Heights” outward bound centre in the south Lake District.
We usually practise on a Friday evening: Juniors from 6.30 until 7.30 p.m., and adults from 7.00 until 8.00 p.m. Sunday services start at 10.30 a.m., although a few times per year (e.g. Harvest, Christmas) we sing at a special, evening service, and there are occasionally other services: for example Good Friday, weddings (for which choir members receive a fee), etc.
Many adult choir members also sing with Stalmine Choral Group—contact Robert Richmond (01253 810536) for more information. This gives an opportunity to sing a wide variety of music in a relaxed setting, and the Choral Group has also undertaken overseas tours of Paris, Barcelona and Venice.
Paul sometimes has to work away, and during those times we've been very pleased to welcome Daniel Moore as a very able, young deputy. Dan recently passed his organ Grade 8 with Distinction - well done, Dan!
The organ is a small, but beautifully voiced instrument dating from 1890 by the Manchester organ builders, Jardine and Co. See http://npor.rcm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=S00058. It was conservatively restored in 2000 by David Wells (Liverpool), and a celebratory recital played by Prof. Ian Tracey (Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.)
Potential junior members wanting to join the choir should be at least 8 years old, and able to read reasonably fluently. Singing ability is less important than the desire to want to sing and to enjoy it, and the dedication to sing with us regularly.
If you think you would like to join the choir, contact Paul Buckmaster (Director of Music) for more information, or come along to a Friday night practice. Paul can be contacted at church, or on 01253 810086
