THE CHOIR

The church choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and its main function is to lead and enhance the music within our worship at St Mary’s. The choir sings for the 11.00 Mass at St Mary’s almost every Sunday and for the major festivals of the church year. The repertoire includes de Angelis, Merbecke, Shaw, White, and Lourdes Mass settings. The psalms are sung to Anglican or Responsorial Chant and Plainchant is sometimes included within the services. The many anthems and motets range from pre- Renaissance times to the late twentieth century.

The choir was formed in 2003 by our priest, Fr Richard Williams, himself a fine organist and musician. He retired from his role as choirmaster in 2011 to make way for a new Director of Music and Organist, Howard Seymour who, with his huge experience of choral music greatly broadened our knowledge. In 2012 he was succeeded by Aled Liddington, a masterful organist and long-time friend of St Mary’s who planned to fill in for a few months bur stayed for nearly five years. We were sad to see him leave early in 2017. We were happy and fortunate to immediately find and welcome his replacement, Barrie Magill from Hereford.

Several of those who joined the choir in 2003 are still active members. When at full strength, the choir currently numbers fourteen members. There is one midweek practice and another before each Sunday service. We are always open to new members.

Join St Mary’s Choir?

Can you sing? Have you ever sung in a choir?

Would you like to sing in a choir?

Music is at the heart of our worship at St Mary’s and our choir is the heart of our music.

The choir rehearses from 2.00pm on Wednesday afternoons for about an hour and again on Sunday morning at 10.00am before the 11.00am service.

If you would like to get involved with the choir, then join us on a Wednesday afternoon or email us at info@stmaryschurchhayonwye.co.uk

Better still, have a chat with a member of the choir after the Mass on a Sunday.