Choir
Music is an important part of the worship at St Michael's.
The church has a traditional robed SATB choir, which is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). The Choir plays a full part in leading the worship at the 10:00am services (except for the first Sunday service); we also sing Choral Evensong on the second Sunday of each month as well as mid-week festivals (such as Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day Maundy Thursday & Good Friday), and weddings on request. We follow the RSCM Voice for Life training scheme.
The choir holds practices on Fridays at 7:45-9:00pm.
We are hoping to launch a Choral Scholar Programme in 2024, offering paid roles for 8 teenagers to lead the sections of the choir and are currently welcoming sponsors for this project. (Contact Catherine on 07796 953319 or Catherine@catherine-orton.co.uk)
We also sing for other Festival and occasional services – Advent and Christmas carol services, Christmas midnight Mass, Harvest Festival and other services. In 2023, the Choir is joining forces with St Mary of Charity in Faversham (need link and go ahead from Ben)and St Paul’s in Canterbury for three combined choir evensongs, one in each church.
Once a year we hold a Come & Sing event as a devotional offering for Lent or Easter. In 2022, we performed a Come & Sing Stainer’s Crucifixion and in 2023, we are holding a Come & Sing Festal Evensong on Easter Day.
We also open our Christmas Carol service to guests, with all-comers rehearsals through Advent.
The Choir has an active social life and members go to the pub after choir practise once a month and share meals at Christmas and before we break for the summer.
We do not audition for membership, but members are required to attend weekly choir practice. If you, or your child, is interested in joining the choir, please contact choirmaster, Catherine Orton on 07796 953319 or Catherine@catherine-orton.co.uk.
Please see here for information about the church organ. (Nigel to provide)
MUSIC LIST – link to latest music list in pdf
