MusicOur Choral Tradition



































St Paul's Choir

The main responsibility of the Choir of St Paul’s is to provide music at the Parish Eucharist each Sunday at 10.15am including choral settings and anthems. In addition, the choir sings at numerous civic services and special occasions throughout the year. St. Paul's is fortunate to have an extensive music library, which is constantly being added to, and the choir has enjoyed working with a wide range of the church and cathedral repertoire from the renaissance to the present day. The organ, completely re-built in 2010, invariably provides the choral accompaniment.

In past years the choir has set its sights beyond Bedford, and sings evensong in a number of English Cathedrals. Recent visits have taken us to Beverley, Chichester, Dublin, Liverpool, Manchester, Peterborough, Ripon, Rochester, Southwell and St. David's.

Junior choristers (girls and boys) would usually join the choir no earlier than school year 4, although many join at a later date. A formal audition is not required, rather a potential chorister is asked to attend three rehearsals and Sunday services to gain an insight into what we do. At the end of the three weeks a discussion would take place between the chorister, his/her parents and the Director of Music; at this point a decision would be made as to whether full choir membership is to be taken. Choristers receive an excellent tuition in singing and theory and are paid a small remuneration for their hard work each term. Additional fees are paid for special services such as weddings or additional carol services.

There are four Choral Scholarships available each year. These are particularly suitable for young singers moving into school year 10, or older, and provide an excellent experience in singing choral music to a high standard. The Director of Music has regularly written references to support pupils as they leave the choir after the sixth form to take up Choral Scholarships at prestigious universities. Choral Scholars are paid £300 per annum, payable in three instalments, one each term. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.

We are currently looking to recruit gentlemen who sing either Tenor or Bass.

Choristers are expected to make a full commitment to attend both services and rehearsals, as listed below. the standard of the choir depends on its members rehearsing together on a regular basis.
 
Friday: Rehearsal:   7:15pm - 8:30pm (juniors)
7:30pm Full Choir
       
Sunday: Rehearsal:
Eucharist:
  9:30am
10:15am
(Most weeks in term time, with the exception of half term holidays)
  Rehearsal:
Evensong:
  4:30pm
5:30pm
(Second and fourth Sunday in term time)