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.
The Director of Music, Thomas Moore, is
looking to recruit BOYS from school year 4
to 7 and GIRLS from school year 5 upwards
who are keen to sing and eager to learn.
