Music is very important to us at St Mary’s, and the congregation is very supportive of our musicians. The church has a particularly fine acoustic for choral music, and most services are led by the organ and our robed adult choir.

 

For communion services we normally sing a Eucharist setting, plus an anthem, as well as the usual hymns. The choir sings at weddings when requested, usually with an anthem or two during the signing of the register. We have a large library of choral music, and enjoy exploring music from all eras. We would welcome more singers of any age, tenors and basses in particular. Choir practices are usually on Thursday evenings. In the week leading up to Christmas we have a traditional service of 9 Lessons and Carols, which is always popular.

 

Music at our All-age service on the 1st Sunday of the month is more informal, currently with a flautist plus piano, but in the past, we have had several school-age children playing a variety of instruments. We would be delighted to have some more children joining us if they play an instrument, as music can be tailored to their abilities.

 

We are very fortunate to have an excellent organist, Babatunde Sosan, who was organist of Lagos Cathedral before coming to the UK with his family. He is a very talented musician, equally at home on organ or piano, and he is a real asset to St Mary’s.

 

The organ at St Mary’s is a 2 manual Allen Quantum. It has a good range of stops, and as a digital instrument has many options for different voices, plus a useful Hymn player function for the rare occasions when no organist is available.

 

The church occasionally hosts concerts by a local chamber choir, Temenos, drawing in a large audience to fully appreciate the church’s fine acoustic.