Music
Up to date information about rehearsals can be found in the Music Calendar
Junior Youth Choir
The Junior Youth Choir rehearses in the Church every Friday during term-time from 6.15 to 7.15 p.m. and as a choir sings every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 10.00 a.m., though individuals are encouraged to join in other services whenever they are able. It is open to boys and girls from the age of 7, provided that they have a reasonable ability to read English and can concentrate in rehearsals and services.
It provides an excellent musical training, and we have a great deal of fun and excitement, with a full social programme. It does require a fair degree of commitment and regularity from parents and children, but it is designed to fit in with normal family life and not to make excessive demands on children's (or parents') time.
Highlights for this year include: working towards gaining the RSCM ribbons; singing at an old people’s home; various fund-raising events; a Christmas pantomime trip, singing in a semi-staged production of ‘The Selfish Giant’, written by Chris Pountain; a choir weekend away at Ringsfield Hall in July.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
Senior Youth Choir
The Senior Youth Choir meets on Sundays during term-time in church from 5.00-6.00 p.m. It is open to all children in year 6 and above. It is possible to be a member of both the Junior and Senior Youth Choirs. We do a varied programme of challenging music, both sacred and secular, and considerable attention is given to singing in parts. The Choir is asked to sing with the Junior Youth Choir on 1st and 3rd Sundays and invited to sing with the New Voices on 2nd Sundays.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
New Voices
This group, membership of which is by invitation or audition, meets on a monthly basis and normally sings at the Parish Communion on the second Sunday of each month. It is intended for busy people, parents with young children, etc., who cannot commit themselves weekly but who have a good general musical capability and are able to pick up challenging music quickly.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
Parish Choir
The Parish Choir rehearses from 7.30 to 8.45 p.m. every Friday - except when the ‘New Voices’ meet (see below). A nucleus of the choir sings for almost all Sunday services, though not everyone sings in the whole range of services. We are delighted to welcome 'occasional' members on whatever basis they feel able to offer. We try to have the largest possible participation at the major Festivals, especially Christmas and Easter, for which there are special rehearsals. New members are always welcome.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
Music Group
The Music Group is a small ensemble which most often plays at the Family Service at 10.00 am on the 1st Sunday of the month. Rehearsals are arranged to suit individuals' availability — sometimes on the Saturday afternoon before the service. Individual instrumentalists sometimes play in other services too. Membership is open to any instrumentalist of roughly Grade 4 and above: you should be able to sight-read from a simple score; if you can improvise on a melody line too, so much the better (though that is far from essential)! A rather larger group of instrumentalists and vocalists leads the Contemporary Worship Services, currently held on the 2nd Sundays of alternate months at 6.30 pm. Rehearsals are normally on the Sunday afternoon at a time which suits the participants.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
Other musical activities
Many other musical activities happen as time and forces permit. Please get in touch with Chris Pountain, the Music Co-ordinator, if you would like to see St Andrew's doing something in the musical line that is not currently provided for (preferably offering at the same time to take a prominent part in it)! We put on concerts and productions from time to time and St. Andrew’s Church is often used by outside groups for concerts.
Contact: Chris Pountain 311055 chris.pountain@ntlworld.com
Bell Ringers
St Andrew's has six bells, a number of experienced ringers, and an active programme
to train new ringers to all levels. Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings
from 7:30 pm. Successful learning requires a reasonable level of regularity and
commitment.
Contact: Sue Francis 363564 susan.francis@ntlworld.com.