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The Parish Choir

CHORAL VACANCIES!

at

St. Peter’s Church Bexhill-on-Sea

Ÿ       ‘Cathedral’ repertoire

Ÿ       Excellent standards

Ÿ       Regular concerts and Cathedral visits

Ÿ       Performances with orchestra’s and soloists

Ÿ       Fun Socials and pay for children

 

This acclaimed Parish Choir of men and children is one of the few left in the country to uphold a fully ‘choral’ tradition. Space is limited, but we currently have some vacancies for both children (boys and girls aged 7-16) and men (a female alto is possible dependant on the tone). If you enjoy singing and want to join our team, then contact our Director of Music for more information:  -

The Director of Music

 

 

The choir of St. Peter’s is always looking for new singers, both young and old, to join it’s ranks in their task of leading the musical worship at this ancient and beautiful parish church. 

One of the wonderful aspects of choral singing is that it is a ‘team’ activity that can involve all age groups from 8 to 80!! The common bond being a simple love of singing and music. 

The choir of St. Peter’s has a very long-standing musical tradition, and as such has built up an extremely enviable reputation over many years. It is widely recognised as one of the finest church choirs in the south of England, and one of the few that still has a top line of children - both boys and girls. 

“I am very aware of the very important musical tradition which the church maintains and, to us in the diocese, St. Peter’s is seen as one of the key churches in it’s long and somewhat unwieldy geography!” (Alan Thurlow, Organist and Master of the Choristers - Chichester Cathedral) 

We sing music to the very highest possible standard, and draw it from an increasingly varied repertoire. The main repertoire consists of hymns and worship songs, psalms, responses, and some of the finest anthems and communion settings from the sixteenth century to the present day. 

The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, and the choristers progress through a training scheme based on RSCM singing awards. There are many opportunities available to individuals and the choir through the RSCM. For example, there are many training days, local events, residential courses and the chance to become a member of the excellent Southern Cathedral Singers.

Benefits + Opportunities

 

Singing as part of a choir - especially in a church, is not always perceived to be a ‘fun’ activity. In fact some people may think of it as a ‘chore’!! However, they couldn’t be more wrong. For children, there are not many things more valuable to their development. Obviously from a musical point of view, it is one of the best activities that they can be involved in - even if they play other instruments. Singing is one of the most natural things that your body is designed to do! Even if someone thinks that they aren’t very ‘good’ at singing - we can all do it. Everyone sings to themselves in the car, in the shower, along to the radio, etc………!! They just need to be taught how to do it properly - and singing in a choir amongst others is a very good place to start. As well as the huge musical benefits, there are many transferable skills for children to learn as part of a choir - leadership, responsibility, team work, literacy and reading skills, and many, many more. Whilst there is not space in a document of this size to list every opportunity and advantage that membership of our choir involves - the following should help give a good idea for particularly children, but adults too; 

Ÿ         To grow up as an active and important member of a friendly choir with a strong sense of purpose.

Ÿ         Make new friends and join a warm and supportive ‘team’.

Ÿ         Unlike so many clubs/societies in this day and age, there is no membership fee to pay, and no experience is necessary.

Ÿ         To receive some pocket money (for the children) every two months in recognition of their work

Ÿ         To receive extra pocket money for singing for weddings (children and adults), etc.

Ÿ         To progress through a training scheme that provides a good musical education as well as encouraging the chorister’s spiritual development within the church.

Ÿ         Have a chance to take part in an all-age organisation that encourages an appreciation of cultural and artistic activity in an increasingly materialistic world.

Ÿ         Receive training in the basic through to advanced theory of music, and of singing technique.

Ÿ         To have the opportunity of advancing to positions of leadership and responsibility within the choir as either Deputy or Head Chorister (for the children).

Ÿ         To go on choir socials/outings every term, such as sporting events, ten-pin bowling, the annual fireworks party, etc. 

Ÿ         To take part in visits to Cathedrals which we regularly do 2 or 3 times a year - one of which is a residential trip lasting about a week in the summer to which parents can come too. The opportunity to sing in these great buildings often leaves memories that remain strong for years to come.

Ÿ         To join in regular choir concerts, carol singing, and performances of large scale works such as Handel’s ‘Messiah’, Haydn’s ‘Creation’, Faure’s ‘Requiem’, etc. 

 

What does membership entail? 

All we ask is for an enjoyment of singing, and a sympathy with singing for the glory of God. We also ask that a commitment is made to regular attendance. Children are encouraged to join as young as possible - from about 8 years of age. Girls sing until the end of their schooling, and boys sing treble until their voice breaks (approx. 13/14 years of age), but are then encouraged to stay on with us singing as an adult (becoming alto, tenor or bass as their voice deepens). There is no age limit for adults, and whilst there are no sopranos at St. Peter’s we welcome female altos into the choir.

 

Practices; -             Monday (Children’s practice)

                                    5.30pm - 6.30pm practice

                                    6.30pm - 6.45pm Choristers individually or in small                                                 groups for RSCM training scheme and vocal tuition

 

                                    Thursday (Full Practice)

 

                                    7pm - 8.30pm Full Rehearsal (Children and Adults)

                                    8.30pm - 9pm Adult’s only rehearsal

 

                                    Sunday (Services)

 

                                    9.15am for 9.45am (until 10.45am) Sung Eucharist              

                                    5.15pm for 6pm (until 7pm) Choral Evensong 

 

Children will join the choir as a probationer for about a month. After completing some simple singing tests, and if all goes well, they will be formally admitted as a full member of the choir in a service by one of our clergy. 

Adults follow a similar procedure, but without the formal admission. Once settled in, usually after a period of about a month, the Director of Music will ask them to do a simple audition - to sing a simple solo, hymn and psalm. 

For adults, reasonable sight-reading and previous experience is useful - but not necessary, as it is hoped that choir membership would teach these choral skills, as it does to the children. 

 

The Director's of Music 

Several high-profile musicians have held the post of Director of Music at St. Peter’s over the years, and have moved onto various other positions such as examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, organist and music staff at Uppingham School, Director of Music at Hexham Abbey, etc. , Kit Perona-Wright who received his musical training at Exeter university, which he combined with being a scholar at Exeter Cathedral. Kit holds a first class honours degree in music with a dean’s commendation for academic excellence, and a Master’s degree in English Cathedral music and liturgy. Whilst at university he also obtained both a diploma in organ playing and choral conducting. He currently works full-time as an ‘Executive’ (special advisor) to the sales department of the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) whilst pursuing a busy free-lance career as a conductor, choral trainer, accompanist and recitalist.  Kit is now head of keyboard studies at Dulwich College Prep School.

The post is curently held by Peter Dutton.

Peter Dutton MA ARCO(DipCHD) M Mus Peter Dutton has been Director of Music at St Peter’s since September 2005.  He began his musical life as a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, under Grayston Ives, and from 2000-2003 he was Organ Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford.  Subsequently he held organ scholarships at All Saints’ Margaret Street and Birmingham Cathedral, studying the organ with Harry Bramma and David Saint.  Peter is also the RSCM Awards Administrator for Sussex, and examines on their behalf.  As an accompanist he has worked with various ensembles, including the Serlo Consort and the Pavao Quartet.   Peter holds diplomas from the Royal College of Organists in organ playing and choral direction, and is currently undertaking a part time M.Mus course in Church Music at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Away from music, Peter enjoys cooking, wine, reading, history and cricket.  He lives with his wife Verity close to the church, and is always happy to meet and/or talk to any prospective candidates for the choir, or to any parents who would appreciate an informal chat. 

Peter is happy to teach organ, piano, singing and theory.