The Choir presently numbers 15 and is made up of very dedicated and active members. One of the great things about the Choir is the sheer range of musical styles with which it can cope – from the earliest forms of church music, through anthems by Byrd, Purcell, or Bach, the great anthems of the English cathedral tradition, all the way through to modern worship songs which are often specially arranged in four part harmony. Any one service may contain music from a variety of styles and periods, the guiding principle always being that the music must reflect the theme and mood of the service. Some of the music we use has been written or arranged “in house”, including the three different settings for the Eucharist composed by David Fuge..

While our traditional music is normally accompanied by the organ, our Music Group provides the backing for more contemporary music. The core of the Group is piano, bass guitar, saxophone, acoustic guitar, drums and/or percussion, and we are occasionally joined by other instruments – if you play an instrument, get in touch! Another guitarist would be good.

One of the highlights of the Choir’s year is the annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols by candlelight, which takes place at 6.30pm on the Sunday before Christmas. The music for this service includes traditional and more recently composed carols sung by the Choir, as well as familiar congregational carols in which all can join.

Every Good Friday at 7.30pm, the Choir take part in a “Devotional Performance” of a major choral work, sometimes accompanied by a small orchestra, or we hold a service of music and readings based on the Passion story. Works performed in the past include Handel’s Messiah, Requiems by Mozart, Fauré, Duruflé and Rutter, Crucifixion by Stainer, and both Pergolesi’s and Karl Jenkins’ settings of Stabat Mater

The Choir meets to rehearse between 8pm and 9.30pm on most Friday evenings. There are no practices during August.

St. Andrew’s Choir and Music Group are always looking for new members and anyone interested in joining is invited to email the parish office or speak to David Fuge after a service.