Be a Chorister for a Day

Children from all over Northamptonshire came to
St Matthew’s on Sunday 16 June to find out what being a chorister in a choir such as St Matthew’s is all about. This is the third time the church has held this important recruitment day, and its popularity continues to grow with children and parents alike.

We began the afternoon in church with an opportunity to look around, explore areas that are usually off-
limits (!) and investigate the wonderful architecture and world-famous art works. Mr Moore put the choristers and their new colleagues through their paces in some gruelling, and rather silly, warm up exercises before

explaining about what is involved in Choral Evensong and beginning to teach the music ready for the service.

Unfortunately the weather turned sour whilst we were in the church and this meant decamping to the Parish Centre for some team games: non-stop Cricket being particularly hotly contested. After an emphatic win for Cantoris, drinks were served and we moved back into church for a rehearsal with the Altos, Tenors and Basses in the choir stalls. The music for the service included Stanford’s Canticles in
B-flat and Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you and all joined in well with the ‘big tunes’.

The choir robed for the service, and this allowed the prospective choristers to see what they would be given to wear as well as having a sneak peak in the Song Room which is the nerve centre of the choir’s life. Parents and choir supporters alike joined the regular St Matthew’s congregation at Choral Evensong with some electrifying singing from the choir. Afterwards we bade our farewells to our new friends and invited them to come back and see us in the near future.

St Matthew’s Choir is an important point of growth within the community at the church and numbers have been increasing steadily under the watchful eye of the Director of Music. With the release of their first CD for 20 years, an exciting choir tour just around the corner, and a busy time planned for next term – including the Patronal Festival weekend in September and Evensong in Peterborough Cathedral in November – the choir is going from strength to strength. If you are interested in becoming a member of the choir here at St Matthew’s then please do contact the Director of Music, Stephen Moore, who is always delighted to hear from prospective members. More information about the choir, who we are and what we do, can be found on the Music pages.

Please find below a selection of photos.