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St Mary's Music Association

Andrew Malcolm, Director of Music, David Cook, Assistant Organist, Caroline Goulder, SMMA Chairman

ST. MARY’S MUSIC ASSOCIATION

The SMMA provides practical, administrative and financial support in order to maintain a wide variety of musical events in the parish. Membership is open to all.  Contact the parish office for further details st.mary's@virgin.net

The 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 10 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. Juniors even get paid for singing!

The choir, under the direction of Andrew Malcolm,marked its 20th anniversary in May 2006.

We are always happy to welcome new members, both junior and adult, but

particularly at present to the tenor line.

Juniors practice on Fridays 6.30-8.15 and adults on Fridays 7.30-9.00. 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 - Bishops' Chorister Award and The Royal School of Church Music ]

Regular social events are organised for both juniors and adults. See Junior Choir

We are always happy to welcome new members to our friendly choir particularly at present to the tenor line.

The Instrumentalists

BRASS GROUP

Andrew Malcolm directs the brass group which meets on Monday evenings 6–7pm during term time. It plays at various events including St. Mary’s Summer and Christmas Fair and an annual concert.

Music outside St. Mary's

As well as singing and playing at St. Mary’s, the choir and brass group also give concerts in other churches and the choir sings evensong once or twice a year in a cathedral. Recent cathedral visits have been to St. Albans, Canterbury, Coventry, Peterborough and Norwich. The choir is booked to sing at Salisbury Cathedral in April 2008. Some choir members sang at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres in September 2006.

Regular social events are organised.

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 (This page may take some time to load)

St Mary's Choir, under the direction of Andrew Malcolm, numbers about 40 adults and 15 juniors. The choir sings regularly at the 10.00a.m. Eucharist, two Evensongs each month and several concerts a year in aid of a charity or music funds. In addition the choir sings Evensong once or twice a year in a cathedral. Recent visits have been to Coventry, Peterborough, Norwich, St Alban's and Canterbury with overseas visits to Germany and Belgium.

The Cyril Coe Memorial Fund

David Cook was appointed Assistant Organist in November 2006. The Cyril Coe Memorial Fund has been established to help St. Mary's DCC fund the 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.

Contact

For further information about music at St Mary's contact  music@stmaryssaffronwalden.org 

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