Music

organ pipes

organ pipes

Since its earliest days Christ Church has had a strong musical tradition. We continue this today in the tradition of the Scottish Episcopal Church. We normally sing a congregational setting of the Eucharist, the St Thomas Mass, except during Lent and Advent when we use another setting. On special occasions the choir may sing a choral setting of the Eucharist.

Each Sunday, as well as the hymns, we sing a psalm either to Anglican chant or in a more modern version, and a Taize chant plus a choir anthem during communion.

We also try to have a special musical event at least once a year. In recent years we have sung the Faure Requiem and Stainer’s Crucifixion.

Choir

Choir for webpage

We have a full SATB choir with around 25 members, both children and adult, and we always welcome new singers, especially men! If you would like to join the choir, or if you have a child who might be interested, please contact the Director of Music. We practise on Thursdays from 7.30 to 8.30 pm. We also practise from 9.30 each Sunday morning. We sing a wide range of music ranging from Byrd to Rutter, both accompanied and unaccompanied.

Scholarships

We are currently looking for a tenor/bass choral scholar and either an organ/choral scholar or an assistant organist. Details are on this advertisement.

Organ

Originally built by Peter Conacher of Leeds in 1878 shortly after the church was completed, the organ is a two manual pipe organ with electric action. It has been overhauled several times in its history, the most recent being in 1993. The specification is here (although there is no Great Dulciana, unfortunately).

Director of Music

The director of music is Michael Green, who has been attending Christ Church since 2002 and took over as Director of Music at Easter 2005.

Psalm 107 plainchant