Music is an important part of our Parish Communion worship. The 10am service is a sung Eucharist, normally using a modern setting such as Salisbury. Hymns are normally chosen from Hymns Old and New, together with a selection of St Michael's favourites from A&M which were not included in HON. Other occasional sources include Common Ground and Iona. Plainsong and Taizé are used, especially at the main Festivals, and the choir normally performs a Communion Anthem each week, ranging from William Byrd to John Rutter. Later this year the choir will sing the Fauré Requiem, in conjunction with the Damon Singers.

The choir of mixed voices, children and adults, has been led by Christine Leslie and Vicki Harvey for some 6 years. The choir includes some highly talented musicians and singers, several of who are members of local/national choirs and choral societies.

A key aim is to encourage young choristers. Very few churches have children in their choir these days but St. Michael's has a long tradition of junior choir members and is anxious to maintain this. We now have vacancies for children and offer a wonderful opportunity to enhance a child's musicality across a wide variety of musical style and content.

There is no audition for juniors - commitment and love of singing are all that are needed - we will teach the rest. Following a short trial period, junior members are accepted into the choir and then work through the awards scheme operated by the Royal School of Church Music. The children are paid a small honorarium, choir robes are provided and occasional social events are arranged

Choir practice takes place every Wednesday evening from 7.00pm to 8.15pm and on Sunday before the service at 9.10am. Anyone wishing to have further details about joining our choir should call the Church office on 01494 726680.

The choir takes an active part in St Michael's social activities such as pantomimes where members both perform and form the 'orchestra'. In addition, the choir has participated in two major community activities: in 2003 the Passion Play held at St Mary's Church Old Amersham featured a scene by St Michael's which included three choir items and in 2004 the choir was invited to form the basis of the Amersham Martyrs Choir for the Martyrs Play produced by Amersham Museum.

This page was last modified Wednesday, 04 August 2004 14:24