Music at St Marys

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SMMA - St Mary's Music Association.

The SMMA provides practical, administrative and financial support to the Director of Music in order to maintain a high standard and wide variety of musical events in the parish. Membership is open to all. Chairman Lesley A Green lag28@uwclub.net   

Music News and Forthcoming Events

Choir

The main function of the choir is to sing at services at St. Mary’s Church but several concerts are given each year, either in aid of a charity or music funds. Currently there are about 40 adults and 18 juniors. The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and all choir members have the opportunity to receive musical training following the RSCM ribbon awards scheme. The choir marked its 20th anniversary in 2006. We are always happy to welcome new members, both junior and adult, but particularly at present to the tenor line. Adults practise on Friday evenings from 7.30 to 9.00pm.

As well as singing and playing at St. Mary’s, the choir also gives concerts in other churches and the choir sings evensong once or twice a year in a cathedral. Recent cathedral visits have been to Salisbury, St. Albans, Canterbury, Coventry, Peterborough, Norwich, Lincoln and Southwark. Some choir members sang at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres in September 2006. We have just accepted an invitatation from Southwark Cathedral in London to sing Choral Evensong on Saturday 30 January 2010.

Monthly Music Sheet. Click to download this for May 2010, June2010, July/August 2010, Sept 2010

Recordings of Music at St Mary's

Click on the quaver icon on the left to listen to some or our recorded music.

Junior Choir

The Junior Choir practises on a number of Friday evenings from 6.30 to 8.15pm. Once new members are confident enough they are asked to come on Sundays. They sing on a number of Sundays, but not all, and at some choral evensongs, as shown as 'full choir' in the current choir schedule - see above. The juniors are paid for practices and services.

The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and the juniors work through the ribbon tests to attain seniority, which is reflected in the remuneration that they receive.  [see The Diocese of Chelmsford - Music - Dean's & Bishops' Chorister Award and The Royal School of Church Music ] Regular social events are organised for both juniors and adults.

See Junior Choir

The Brass Group

The brass group meets on Monday evenings 6–7pm during term time. It plays at various events including St. Mary’s Summer and Christmas Fairs and at an annual concert. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact the parish office for further details.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Organ Scholarship
Further details from St Mary’s Music Association Chairman Lesley A Green 01799 521356 lag28@uwclub.net. Click here to find out more about the last Organ Scholarship.

Bursary Award
The St. Mary's Music Association is again offering up to £500 to support the musical training and education of a young musician in St. Mary's parish in full time education. It can be used for music lessons, training courses or sheet music but not for the purchase of a musical instrument or accessories. Preference will be given to applicants who use their skills in music-making at St. Mary's. Applications must be received by 1st July 2010 and the bursary will run from September 2010 to August 2011.
For further details, conditions and/or application form, please contact the SMMA Chairman, Lesley A Green Tel: 521356 Email: lag28@uwclub.net

The Cyril Coe Memorial Fund

David Cook was appointed organist in November 2006. The Cyril Coe Memorial Fund has been established to help St. Mary's DCC fund this post. If you feel able to contribute to the fund, please contact the SMMA Chairman or pick up a leaflet from the back of the church.

The Organ

The organ, which is large and impressive, is a descendant of one built in 1824 by John Vincent at a cost of £800. It was rebuilt in 1885 by T. C. Lewis. Several rebuilds have subsequently taken place; the second phase of the latest has been recently completed. The wind supply system has been refurbished and the various actions renewed. The organ is now a four-manual instrument, with five keyboard divisions, Solo, Swell, Great, Choir and Bombarde. The most dramatic feature is a strong fanfare trumpet en chamade - the Trompeta Real - which continues down to the Pedal Organ at 16-foot pitch, to provide a very solid foundation for the full organ. Certainly one of the best in the diocese, the organ is a very versatile example of the romantic genre and is able to play any of the recitalist's repertoire. A separate booklet giving details and the full specification is available at the back of the church. Organ Specifications at NPOR site.