The Choir of St Andrew's URC, Sheffield
Who are we?
We are a welcoming and friendly group of people who enjoy singing together in order to lead the worship of our congregation and to enrich it with anthems and musical settings. At the present time we are an adult choir made up of Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses. Some of us can sight-read music quite well and a few sing in other local choirs and choral societies, which widens and enlivens our experience, but the only requirements are the ability to follow a musical line and a commitment to attend practices and services whenever we can. Most of us are members of the church, but this is not a pre-requisite. Many Christians have come to know and love the Lord Jesus through church choirs down the centuries, so we don’t mind if your first ever Christian experiences happen with us or even if you’re not sure what you believe yet. We won’t try to indoctrinate you here! All we expect is that you enjoy your singing and our company.
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What sort of music do we sing?
As a general rule our musical diet consists of hymns and anthems. We sing everything from ancient to absolutely up-to-date and much of our anthem repertoire could as easily grace a Cathedral Church. Mostly the music isn’t too difficult, but we do like a good challenge now and again just to keep us on our toes!
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Can students or children join?
Of course! All are welcome. If you are studying at one of the colleges or universities in the city, we fully understand if you can only come in term-time. If you’re a parent who could only attend with children, we would welcome anyone aged 8 or over who can follow a musical line. On Sunday mornings there is a creche for younger children. If you’re a boy or girl you can still join without your parents if you wish, with their permission, of course. It helps if you are learning an instrument; perhaps the recorder, piano or something else, and that you are able to read (English) quite well.
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How much does it cost?
The only thing it would cost you to be in our choir is time. You would be a member of a team so we’d expect you to turn up regularly for practices and services. Membership and all the training is free. You don’t even need to pay for any music!
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When do we meet?
Choir practices are every Thursday from 7.30pm until 9pm except in July and August which are holiday months. The week after Christmas and the week after Easter are also choir holidays. During holidays the choir leads the hymns and, if enough people turn up, may sing an anthem, but there are no rehearsals. There is one choral service every Sunday at 11am and we usually warm up at about 10.40am. There is an evening service occasionally, maybe twice a year.
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Do we sing with other choirs?
Yes, sometimes. Our church is linked to CTBB (Churches Together in Broomhill and Broomhall) and the Anglican church, St. Mark’s also has a choir. We occasionally join together, especially if either church is hosting a joint service, because the host church arranges the music. We are also affiliated to the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) and are invited to regional events.
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Do we sing with instruments?
Much of our singing is accompanied on the organ or piano, depending what the composer intended, but we occasionally sing with a small orchestra or completely unaccompanied. For example, at a service of Choral Evensong the Evening Service in G minor and the ‘Bell’ Anthem, both by Purcell, were accompanied by a small string orchestra.
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When are auditions held for new members?
Strictly speaking, we are not auditioned. If you are interested in joining the choir just turn up at the beginning of a Thursday practice and come for a few weeks to see if you enjoy it. If you can sing pretty well in tune (you don’t need to have a good-quality solo voice) and possess a good sense of humour that’s usually good enough. If you would prefer to meet our Organist and Choirmaster, Douglas Jones, in advance, then come and join us for coffee after any Sunday service (at about 12.15pm in the hall), give him a ring on 0114 257 6823 anytime or send him an Email to douglaspjones@blueyonder.co.uk
Douglas also has an interesting website which contains useful links and free music downloads. To visit the site please use this address:
http://www.douglaspjones.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
Alternatively, visit one of these links:
Send Douglas an Email - Click here
or go to the homepage HERE
