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St. Mathew's Choir
Entry into the Choir
All Choristers are paid to sing in the choir and are treated as young
professional musicians. To continue and further our high musical standards,
the Director of Music, Sebastian Thomson, is looking to recruit boys (aged
7+) and girls (aged 11+) who are keen to sing and eager to learn. Entry
into the choir is through a short audition. It is the potential voice
that can be trained and a basic musical understanding that will be acknowledged
in the audition. Boy Choristers are encouraged to carry on singing when
their voice breaks and become a Choral Scholar.
The Director of Music is also interested in hearing from any potential Choral Scholars/ Lay Clerks who are looking to gain valuable experience before, during or after University or more experienced singers who are interested in singing choral music to a high standard.
When does the choir rehearse?
Currently, the Choristers rehearse on a Tuesday from 4.30 - 6.oopm
with a break and Friday from 6..00 - 7.30pm (8.00pm for Senior Choristers)
with the Lay Clerks. There is a Sunday service at 10.15am with a rehearsal
at 9.30am and Evensong twice a month at 6.30pm. Depending upon ability,
new members are encouraged to take an active part and 100% commitment
is essential. All rehearsals are supervised by two adults with CRB clearance.
What benefits are there in joining?
- The Choristers are educated by professional musicians in all aspects of
music and develop other skills such as self-discipline, commitment and
working as a team.
- The Choristers receive free musical tuition with occasional masterclasses
from professional singing teachers.
- All Choristers are paid for every practice and service attended. Fees are
also paid for weddings and special services.
- Having the opportunity to sing with arguably the finest parish church organ
in the country.
- Tours to Cathedrals and Churches.
- A small weekday commitment, no daily rehearsals.
- Singing great choral works, many of which have been written for St Matthew's.
- Termly trips to the cinema, bowling ally and theme parks are organised.
- There is an opportunity to make friends with boys and girls of your own
age.
- Several talented musicians each year are assisted with music lessons by the Friends of St Matthew's.
A tradition of success…
- Former St Matthew's Choristers have gained coveted national awards including
Choirboy
of the Year
- Previous St Matthew's Scholars have gained places at the Royal
Academy of Music, London
- Former Choral Scholars are now professional singers (eg. Paul
Miles Kingston soloist with Sarah Brightman on Andrew Lloyd Webber's
Pie Jesu; formerly a singer at York Minster and Christ Church Cathedral,
Oxford and currently Director of Music at the Cathedral School)
- Two St Matthew's Organ Scholars awarded Organ Scholarships to Cambridge; one went on to be Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey and is currently Organist of Peterborough Cathedral