Choir and Organ
Choir
The Choir of St Mary and St Eanswythe is a small group of friendly, dedicated singers that lead the worship at the main 10.30 service on Sundays as well as other important festivals. Our repertoire ranges from plainsong to music by contemporary composers.
The Choir normally rehearses at 9.30 on Sunday mornings, with additional rehearsals as required. We lead the singing of hymns and service settings and sing a Psalm and an anthem or motet. We also take part in other civic services throughout the year as well as cultural events like the Sacconi Festival.
Joining the Choir
Singing in a choir can be a lot of fun, and can be a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. At St Mary & St Eanswythe’s we try to keep our rehearsals fun and relaxed, but also focussed. Social events and trips to the British Lion are common.
We are currently looking for singers in all voice parts to join our robed choir. Previous experience and the ability to read music can be useful, but it is not essential – a nice voice, a sense of humour and the desire to learn are far more important!
If you are interested please email Malcolm, our Director of Music on sainteanswythemusic@gmail.com or speak to him or a Choir member after a service. Also keep an eye open for upcoming come-and-sing events in church.
Organ
We are fortunate to have a very fine organ at St Mary & St Eanswythe’s. It is unusual in that it is little changed since the 1930s.
The organ, like so many of us, is showing its age and is in need of some major work to bring it back to its former glory. We are in the process of selecting an organ builder to undertake this work, and we will be looking to raise funds for this in the coming months. Please follow our organ appeal on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eanswythesorgan
If you are interested in supporting this work or would like to be kept informed of fundraising events to support the work on the organ please sign up for email updates at https://www.eanswythes-organ.com, or you can email sainteanswythemusic@gmail.com or speak to Malcolm after a service.
The organ specification is recorded on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organist and Choir Director
Organist and Choir Director is Malcolm Munro who is an experienced singer, choir trainer, organist and teacher. He spent the first half of his career in cathedral music but since then has held a number of positions in parish churches. He combines this with a full-time position of Director of Music at a school.
Malcolm is passionate about contemporary music, and has worked with composers Judith Weir and Cecilia McDowall to commission new works. He also writes his own music, including settings for congregational use.
In recent months Malcolm has also been putting together playlists for the congregation. You can subscribe to these here. A Spotify account is required.
Music Lists, most recent first:
Easter II to Ascension Day 2022
Passion Sunday to Easter Sunday 2022
During the interregnum between organists only hymns were sung.
Music list April 2021
Easter 2021
March 2021: No sung services until church reopening on Palm Sunday (see Easter 2021 above).
February 2021: No sung services due to church closure.
January 2021: No sung services due to church closure.
Music list Nov 2020 No public services after November 1st.
August 2020: No sung services due to church closure.
July 2020: No sung services due to church closure.
June 2020: No sung services due to church closure.
May 2020: No sung services due to church closure.
April 2020: No sung services due to church closure.