At Christ Church we are committed to nurturing a love of music and singing in children of all ages and backgrounds. Children love singing, and there is nothing better than to be doing it in a supportive environment surrounded by friends. The choristers sing at least twice a month for the church’s Sunday morning Eucharist service, as well as Choral Evensong on occasional Friday evenings and other special services throughout the year.
The children also regularly join the adult choir to sing in some of the country’s finest cathedrals and greater churches including St George’s Chapel Windsor, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. Many of the choristers also came on the choir’s tour to Venice in February 2019, singing in some of the city’s’ finest churches and St Mark’s Basilica.
As well as the opportunity to sing at services with and without the adult choir, we provide musical training (including instruction in the RSCM Voice for Life Scheme) that will complement and extend their musical education at home and at school. With his background in professional singing, the Director of Music is able to offer choristers specialist vocal training that will nurture their voices at the start of their singing careers.
Friends are made easily within the choir and there are parties and social trips for the juniors on a regular basis. There are services, such as the popular Christmas Eve Crib service, when the choristers take the musical lead in our worship and their hard work is greatly appreciated by the church which pays them pocket money in recognition of their contribution.
Would you like your child to learn to sing?
Whether they are already playing instruments to a high standard or just love singing around the house, we welcome all children from 7 years old upwards to consider joining the choir. The choral activities are tailored to the specific needs of the children and their involvement increases as they grow in confidence and ability. Some former members have gone on to be cathedral choristers, while many others have stayed in the choir into adulthood.
The Chorister’s weekly routine is as follows:
Friday Rehearsals
6.30 pm-7.30 pm: Choristers Rehearsal
1st and 3rd Sunday of the month
9.15 am: Robe in Vestry
9.20 am: Rehearsal
10 am: Parish Eucharist
If you are interested in your child becoming a chorister then please contact the Director of Music, Mr Richard Brain, at music@christchurch-southgate.org.