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The Churches of St. Mary's, with St. Faith's and St. FrancisSt. Mary's Choir & Organ |
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Sings regularly at most Sunday Services throughout the year. The choir has also performed at least two major choral pieces each year since 1990, with guest professional soloists and accompanists under the direction of Paul Pilott. Works performed in recent years include:
Recruitment is ongoing and includes annual Voice Trials in Local Schools. Musical adults and children may apply to join at any time. For children who join the choir, there are opportunities to pursue Training Schemes devised by the Royal School of Church Music, where progress and achievement are recognised by the presentation of special coloured ribbons and medallions
To Enquire about joining St. Mary's Choir Please contact the Organist and Director of Music Paul Pilott LRAM ARCO 023 9252 6255 paul@pilott.free-online.co.uk
sings with the full choir and occasionally performs pieces on its own, such as Michael Hurd’s ‘Jonah Man Jazz’ and ‘Swinging Samson’ which are more suited to children's voices. Recruitment takes place through ‘Voice Trials’ which are conducted in the Junior Schools of the Parish each year but prospective new members may also apply to join at any time. A training scheme devised by the Royal School of Church Music is followed in which progress through the choir is recognized by the presentation of various coloured ribbons. There are numerous musical concerts and recitals in St. Mary’s each year, including the ever popular ‘NOT THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS’ which usually takes place on the last Saturday of September as part of the Annual Michaelmas Fayre celebrations. Organ recitals take place every Friday Lunch-Time during August and on other occasions. Recitalists since the organ refurbishment of 1998 have included David Sanger, Professor Ian Tracey, Stephen Farr, Geoffrey Morgan, Nigel Stark, Sarah Baldock, Mark Wardell, David Price, Rosemary Field, Simon Lole. In 1999, St. Mary’s was given a 1900’s Beckstein grand piano which was featured by Carey Humphreys in a Lecture Recital on the ‘Keyboard Works of JS Bach’ marking the 250th anniversary of the composers’ death in July 2000. For forthcoming events please see 'Music At St. Mary's'. |
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by HILL NORMAN AND BEARD Installed 1929
Specification 2000 AD
St. Mary's Organ has stood at the centre of a cherished musical tradition in this church during most of the twentieth century In 1996, after some years of steady decline in the condition and reliability of the instrument, the Parochial Church Council decided to embark upon a comprehensive refurbishment scheme. In order to accomplish this, St. Mary's needed to raise over £70,000, and an Appeal was launched in October of the same year. Various fund raising activities were initiated in the Parish, including a 'Sponsor a Pipe' campaign, a 'talents' scheme, prize draw, concerts, exhibitions etc. and the fund quickly grew. Members of St. Mary's Junior Choir raised the staggering sum of £2000 in a few months by doing odd jobs such as cleaning cars, gardening, fence repairs etc. etc. Successful Grant Aid applications were lodged with Hampshire County and Gosport Borough Councils. In addition, a request for funding through the Lottery was submitted to the Arts Council of England. Then on 11th December 1997, came the news which everyone involved with the project was hoping for, an Arts Council Lottery Grant of ‘up to £51,000’ had been awarded. By this time, St. Mary's own Appeal Fund had passed £20,000, and Griffiths and Cooper (Organ Builders) Limited of Portsmouth were invited to proceed with the work. Just over a year later, the scheme was completed and the organ was rededicated to the glory of God in a special ceremony conducted by the Rector of Alverstoke Rev. Ted Goodyer. A memorable inaugural recital was given by the internationally renowned organist David Sanger in January 1999.
Since then, the improved instrument has enhanced our regular worship and numerous renowned recitalists have performed here including: Professor Ian Tracy, Stephen Farr, Simon Lole, Alan Thurlow, Geoffrey Morgan, Philip Scriven, Sarah Baldock, David Price, David Thorne, Mark Wardell, Rosemary Field, Nigel Stark, Carey Humphreys, Adrian Bawtree, Roger Blough, Clive Driskill-Smith and David Halls. Any item of machinery as complex as a church Organ with over 1600
pipes will require overhaul and attention every few decades. Therefore
the organ fund continues in order to secure the long-term well-being and
use of this fine instrument within the rich musical heritage of St. Mary's.
Anyone may donate gifts, legacies, bequests etc., and any donor may nominate
a loved one for inclusion in the attractive 'In Memoriam’ book which is
on permanent display near the organ. Click here
if you wish to give a donation or make a bequest. Thank you for your
support.
A two year scholarship is offered to a young musician with suitable keyboard skills. The current Organ Scholars are: Owen Morgan and Amy Eggbeer |