Music at St. James'

In years gone by, St. James' could boast a choir of twenty man and boys, and we maintain that tradition with our small regular choir and the support of musicians from round about who come to sing with us for special occasions.

We try to always have a choir for Sunday morning services. As well as the regular hymns and other service music, we sing anthems several times a month and at the major festival services.

SInce 2003 we have taken part in the Diocesan Choral festivals in Salisbury Cathedral, and very much enjoy the experience!

The choir is always glad to welcome new members. We practice on Fridays at 7:00 p.m. in church, so if you are interested in joining us, do come along and have a try. All that's needed is a little vocal ability and a willingness to enjoy the music making.

The choir music is drawn from a variety of sources and includes a varied range of traditions and styles. Much of the material we use is published by the Royal School of Church Music, to which the church is affiliated, and which gives much needed support to church musicians throughout the world.

The organ is a 12 stop 2 manual and pedal tracker action instrument. We also use other instruments as the occasion and music requires. The church Music Group accompanies the singing at First Sunday Worship and on other occasions. The instrument has recently had a major clean, and we hope to be able to undertake a full restoration in due course.
Choir and orchestra gave a concert on the 20th of November 2004. We played and sang music by Bach, Handel, Purcell and others.
Choir members outside Salisbury Cathedral following the 2008 Choral Festival