Music
‘Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music’
Music is integral to the liturgy and life of St John’s Wood Church. Our two choirs sing a wide variety of music in all styles and genres. It is our hope and prayer that our music brings the listener closer to God.
St John’s Wood Choir
St John’s Wood Church choir sings at the 11am Choral Eucharist on Sundays and on feast days through the year. The choir consists of eight professional singers, drawn from all over London, many of which also sing in the capital’s opera houses and West End theatres. The choir sings a wide variety of repertoire, specially chosen for each service from Gregorian chant, Palestrina to the latest contemporary worship music. The choir has a particular expertise with the music of William Byrd and Thomas Tallis. Some highlights each year are the choir’s nine lessons and carols in December and Couperin’s Leçons de ténèbres in Holy Week.
“I am very privileged to be Musical Director of St John’s Wood Church Choir. My prayer is that beautiful music can bring us closer to God.”
Michael Cayton Director of Music
The Chamber Choir
In addition to the professional choir, the church also has a non-auditioned voluntary choir called “The Chamber Choir”. The choir is made up of members from the community in St John’s Wood who wish to take an active role in singing for church services. The chamber choir usually sings at a monthly choral evensong during term time and sings a varied repertoire from Bach to Stanford. The choir sings at community events such as carol singing to raise money for charity and hosting come and sing events at the church. The Choir is particularly well known for the beautiful Advent carol procession.
“I am always interested to hear from those wishing to join the choir, and we currently have vacancies for sopranos, tenors and basses. Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings at 7pm, and Michael’s sense of humour means that serious practice is interspersed with jokes and lots of laughter.”
Judy Booth Chamber Choir Manager