Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness

The music at St Mary's has always meshed in a special way with the liturgy. The eight-strong professional choir, often supplemented with instruments, and supported by the fine Lewis organ, sings the praise of God week in and week out, through high day and holy day. The choir sings from the west end gallery of the church and this position allows a remarkable musical presence, at once immediate but also self-effacing. The choir is at the very heart of the ceremonial, though not a visual focal point in the manner of a robed choir.

Grounded firmly in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of plainsong normally sung in English, the liturgy encompasses many styles of music, some looking towards Rome, others firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition. Where else can one hear a polyphonic Mass of the Spanish school alongside motets by Stanford and Parry? Of course, Marian music plays an important role, both as mission in the processions of our Lady and as votive offering to the dedicatee of the church. Whatever your musical tastes, there is usually something on the schedule of music that will enhance and deepen understanding of the Word.

The choir released a recording, O magnum mysterium, in 2003. It was a recreation of a typical Midnight Mass at St Mary’s, one of the most popular and special services of the church year. It included a full orchestral Mass (Mozart), interspersed with carols, plainsong and other motets, exactly as one would hear at midnight on the 24th December. As a part of the church’s mission, a long term plan is to record other characteristic St Mary's liturgies, such as Easter, Corpus Christi, the Assumption, Remembrance Day and Christ the King.

Click here for the Organ Specification.