The choir
Music plays an important role in the liturgical life of St Botolph's, encouraged by Father Stephen, the Priest-in-Charge. Services always include a substantial amount of music for the choir to sing as well as a full repertoire of congregational hymns. Merbecke is the Communion Service of choice, though during lockdown we have been exploring plainsong Propers and Psalms.
St Botolph's Choir consists of a group of volunteer singers who meet once a week before the Sunday service each week to rehearse the hymns, canticles and a short anthem. Enthusiasm is the order of the day rather than an advanced vocal technique, though we strive week by week to grow our musical and vocal skills. From time to time we draft in extra singers (such as for the 2020 Epiphany Carol Service, which included a specially written carol) to tackle a more ambitious repertoire, which in general is planned around the availability of singers and what we regard as appropriate for us.
Recent repertoire has included Tallis' 'O nata lux', Stanford's 'Beati quorum via', Anerio's 'Vidi speciosam', Mozart's 'Ave verum' and Wood's Communion Service in the Phrygian mode.
There is a strong social element to the choir, which enjoys each other's company as much as the music out sings!
Though there is no three-line whip, we are pleased when choir singers can offer so far as possible a weekly commitment.
Tim Brown, our Interim Director of Music, is always delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining the choir and may be contacted on tcb21@cam.ac.uk.