Music and more

Music
Since its earliest days Christ Church has had a strong musical tradition. We continue this today in the tradition of the Scottish Episcopal Church. We normally sing a congregational setting of the Eucharist, the St Thomas Mass, except during Lent and Advent when we use another setting. On special occasions the choir may sing a choral setting of the Eucharist.

Each Sunday, as well as the hymns, we sing a psalm either to Anglican chant or in a more modern version, and a Taize chant plus a choir anthem during communion.

We also try to have a special musical event at least once a year. In recent years we have sung the Faure Requiem, Stainer’s Crucifixion, and a special Palm Sunday evening service including Lotti Crucifixus and Allegri Miserere.

Choir
We have a full SATB choir with around 20 members, mostly adult, and we always welcome new singers. If you would like to join the choir, or if you have a child who might be interested, please contact the Director of Music.

We practise on Thursdays from 7.30 to 8.30 pm. We also practise from 9.30 each Sunday morning. We sing a wide range of music ranging from Byrd to Rutter, both accompanied and unaccompanied.  

Organ
Originally built by Peter Conacher of Leeds in 1878 shortly after the church was completed, the organ is a two manual pipe organ with electric action. It has been overhauled several times in its history, the most recent being in 1993. The specification is here (although there is no Great Dulciana, unfortunately).

Director of Music
The Director of Music is Michael Green, who has been attending Christ Church since 2002 and took over as Director at Easter 2005. Our Assistant Organist is Kat Whigham.