St Mary’s Music News - February 2024

The Advent Carol Service on 3 December traced once more the spiritual journey from darkness into light. It is the favourite of the 3 carol services for many of the choir, and this year Oli King, who does not praise lightly, described it as probably one of the most beautiful and well-sung services which he has heard at St Mary’s Church. Behind the apparent simplicity of this progression is a lot of hard work, as well as a complex logistical challenge for the choir, including the many Juniors who had not participated in earlier years. The challenges include not falling down the steps in the dark and silent procession from the North door, ensuring that you can actually see the music by the West door although the batteries in your mini booklight have taken this opportunity to give up despite working perfectly during rehearsal, and remembering when to walk, where to turn, and of course what to sing. The youngest choristers did not sing, but assisted as taperers. James from the Junior Choir was the soloist in Stanford’s Magnificat in G.

On the following Sunday the Junior Choir led the singing at Christingle, along with Joyful Noise, our littlest musicians. Then just 1 week later on 17 December the traditional Christmas Carol service of 9 Lessons and Carols was greatly enhanced by 8 members of the Brass Group. The Junior Choir, including soloists William, Poppy and Flo, were again present in force. The service was livestreamed, and the choir was thrilled to get a message from Mary Richardson, the composer of the music to “A Maiden Most Gentle”, saying “I have just watched the choir’s performance of my carol. Thank you so much, you all sang it so beautifully! I feel truly honoured.”

While we were all singing and playing, Paul Chinnock was in the kitchen of the Parish Rooms warming up copious quantities of mince pies and mulled wine, which were very gratefully received. The Chair of the SMMA, Hannah Razzell, thanked everyone who had helped the organisation in the past year, including Bron Ferland as Choir Administrator, Kate Beare who has taken over Joyful Noise, Alison Lawrence who looks after the Junior Choir’s social time during Friday choir practices and other events, Zyi our current Michael Swindlehurst Organ Scholar, Gill and Paul for the party, Jeremy Allen as Deputy Organist, and of course Oli King as Director of Music.

The choir supported 4 services over 24th and 25th December. Once again the Junior Choir (with a little help from their friends) led the singing at the 2 Tree Services on Christmas Eve. Later that evening the Adult Choir (some fortified by late evening refreshments kindly hosted by Jim and Siong Siong) sang at a very well attended Midnight Mass. Elliott, the first MS Organ Scholar, made a welcome return to conduct the choir. And then there was the lively and joyful Christmas Day service itself. We were delighted that once again so many former Choral Scholars returned to participate in these services. Then, despite a well-earned 2 week rehearsal break, we still supported the 5th Sunday team worship at morning service on New Year’s Eve.

After this busy year, Alex, James and William have completed their service as Head/Deputy Head of the Junior Choristers and joined the Adult Choir as Choral Scholars, along with Harry, also a former Junior Chorister.

Looking forward from the date of writing this Newsletter, or backward from the date of reading it, there will be Choral Evensong at 4 pm on 14 January and the Epiphany Carol Service at 6.30 pm on Sunday 29 January.

Ottilie Lefever
7th January 2024