Music and St Andrew's is:
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Music at St Andrew's
St Andrew’s is fortunate to have a very strong tradition of music in worship. There has been a choir for over a hundred years and a worship band for several decades. this has enabled us to explore a range of songs, hymns, psalms and anthems in our services. There is a great desire to overcome these current difficulties to build for the future.
The Church Choir
The choir is robed for most services and its role is to lead the singing at our main 10.00 Sunday communion and evensong at 18.00, as well at special events such as services for feast days. The choir is also available for bookings at weddings and funerals.
Their repertoire extends from traditional hymns and choral anthems to more contemporary hymns and chorus from “songs of fellowship” for example.
Choir Pracitce happens most Friday evening from 19.30 to 20.30 but please check the calendar for details which may vary according to the season.
New members are always welcome. We have a tradition of welcoming those who can’t read music and encouraging them to offer their gift of singing in worship.
The choir is currently lead by our organist Dr Rob Butcher.
| 7.30 - 8.30 pm Friday | Full rehearsal - worship songs and anthems (in church) |
The Band
The Band is an informal group of musicians of all ages who play at our Family services each month and at holiday club. The band is currently led by Chris Parker and rehearsals are arranged as required.
The organ
The fine two manual pipe organ which was built in 1954 was completely restored and enhanced between 2018 and 2020. The Console is now placed in the nave on a mobile platform to increase flexibility in accompaniment. It is available for lessons and practice by arrangement.
St Andrews as a musical venue for performance and rehearsal
The church has capacity and resources to host a wide variety of secular musical activities. There is staging and lighting available to add flexibility. It has been booked regularly for rehearsal by the community choir. It regularly hosts performances by the local choral society. As well as these examples of larger scale events it has been used recently for performances by smaller chamber choirs and groups of professional musicians.
We welcome our two Church of England Schools for their carol services.
For all enquires regarding music at St Andrew’s please contact our organist and church warden
Dr Robert Butcher robertdocbutcher@gmail.com