The Music Programme at St Mary's has grown considerably over the past couple of years.

The Music at the 12 o'clock 'Solemn' Mass has, since Autumn 2004, been led by a professional cantor, with the performance of a solo aria each week (typically Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart) during the offertory.

The 9:30 Mass is currently served by two choirs:  The Junior Choir was formed in Autumn 2006 and has now has some 25 boys and girls (aged six to twelve). The group rehearses on Fridays from 6.00 - 7.00pm  term-time, and leads the singing from the North Aisle on alternate weeks with the Gallery Choir.  This group for amateur adults was formed in early 2007 and has a regular membership of around 10 at present.  The Director of Music would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining either choir.

The consecration of the church on 4 November also saw the appearance of a new group - the Humilitas Quartet (a group of 4 professional singers conducted by our music director John Alexander Ward) who have quickly become an established feature of the programme at St Marys, joining us for Christmas, Easter and other occasions through the year.

The organ, built by the famous 19th century organ-builder William Hill, and sounds magnificent in the church's generous acoustic, although the instrument is increasingly suffering from mechanical problems, and plans are afoot to raise funds for refurbishment. The instrument is currently under the care of Harrison & Harrison organ builders.  The programme of organ music at the Sunday Masses consists both of improvisations on seasonal liturgical themes, and the performance of a wide range of organ works from the literature.

To download a list of the music performed at the Masses, please click here.

To e-mail the Director of Music, please click here.