Music
‘Those who sing pray twice.’
We take our music seriously at St Mary’s of both traditional and more modern hymns and liturgical music in our worship.
On Sundays, the 10.30 Parish Eucharist is always a ‘sung’ service, including congregational hymns and, during term time, choral music sung by our Choral Scholars and volunteer choir. Special services at festive periods like Easter and Christmas always include some wonderful music with a larger choir of Scholars and professional singers, and prove to be among the most popular of the year.
Our Director of Music and Organist is John Ward (boltonsmusic@gmail.com)
Singing Scholarships
We have now appointed scholars for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Our Scholarship Programme has been running since 2018, recruiting new singers each year. These talented young musicians have enhanced our worship, encouraged our congregational singing and boosted our volunteer choir. We recruit new scholars every summer, for the coming academic year.
Come and Sing Choir
Our volunteer singers join with the Scholars once a month, except in the Summer holidays. They sing a wide repertoire of music, from the classical choral tradition to more contemporary hymns. We are always glad to welcome new singers: the music for the coming sunday is shared via email each month, with singers expected to become familiar with their parts, using YouTube and other media; rehearsals take place before the 10.30 Eucharist. If you would like to know more or want to join the choir, please contact the Director of Music, John Ward boltonsmusic@gmail.com
Concert and rehearsal space
St Mary’s provides a lovely space for concerts or occasional rehearsals. To enquire about hiring the church, including costs involved, please contact the Parish Office, office@stmarytheboltons.org.uk or 020 7835 1440.
See our News and Upcoming Events page for upcoming performances.
Weddings and Funerals
Our Director of Music will be glad to speak with you about music for special services, like weddings, funerals or memorials, including the booking of professional singers and instrumentalists to make your service particularly beautiful. The fees for booking musicians and consultation with the Director of Music are available on request.