The
Choir
Sunday
morning Eucharist’s at Christ Church (9.30 a.m.) and St. Mary’s (11 a.m.) are
essentially congregational services. At St. Mary’s a small adult four-part choir
takes a lively part in the service. A newly formed children’s choir at 9.30
numbering some 24 members is developing its confidence and repertoire augmenting
a small number of adult singers who lead the congregation.
At
Evensong each Sunday 6.30 p.m. at Christ Church (last Sunday of the month St.
Mary’s), the parish choir sings choral evensong (Book of Common Prayer) with
usually an anthem or choral setting of the canticles and both for major festivals.
The choir sing also for special occasions in the year, for example the Fauré
The
range and quality of music sung is sufficient to provide potential choral scholars
with the basic training in sight singing and musicianship they will need.
The
Organs
St.
Mary’s has a two Manual instrument rebuilt and enlarged in 1974 from a fully
enclosed exhibition instrument by Hill, it speaks well in the acoustics of this
fine Georgian building and is of concert quality.
Christ
Church organ, 3 Manual, was rebuilt in 1953 by Rutt of Leyton using some pipe
work from an earlier Hill organ. Now nearing the end of its working life it
continues a good sound for leading worship both a regular parish worship and
for civic and other occasions. Plans are in hand to ensure a new instrument
in place well before the 150th anniversary of the church in 2011.
Both
churches also have well maintained pianos, a Broadway Grand at Christ Church
and a lovely upright by Chappell at St. Mary’s.
The congregation contains much musical talent from professional singers and trumpeters to a medieval flautist! We are looking actively to develop the musical and choral life of the parish and with our community and school links have plenty of opportunity to grow.
If you would like to be involved with our musical life at this exciting time please contact Nick Sherwood, our Director of Music.
Music
Personnel
Nicholas Sherwood, the parish Director
of Music, studied at Exeter University where he gained his B.A. He also holds
a P.G.C.E., A.R.C.O. and A.R.C.M. (Organ Performance). He has deputised at St.
Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey and for numerous choirs. He is also a
teacher of singing, piano and organ both privately and with the London Borough
of Newham and the conductor of the Brentwood Choral Society.
He is assisted by Helen Springett G. Mus, P.G.C.E., deputy head teacher of Aveley
primary school, who studied music at Colchester Institute. She was until recently
a Bishop's nomination on the Essex and East London Church Music Committee. She
has particular care of the junior choir.
Our assistant organist is Mrs Olive Thursby who holds an M.A. in primary education
and who currently teaches primary children in Redbridge. Her organ teachers
included Noel Rawsthorne and as well as holding a number of organists' posts
she has taught organ, piano and the theory of music.
