Choir
St. Mary’s is fortunate to have the support of an enthusiastic and talented adult choir, which is responsible for the musical ministry of the church both within and beyond the parish. Numbering up to 20 at full strength, the choir rehearses on Friday evenings from 7.15pm to 8:45pm, and again immediately before every sung service. The repertoire is comprehensive, ranging from the the music of the Renaissance schools right up to works which have been specially written for the choir.
New voices are always welcome please contact the Director of Music, Gary Desmond garyc.desmond@gmail.com if you are interested in joining.
For more details click here
Click the links for other Youtube videos This joyful Eastertide and Psalm 96.
St Mary’s choir in the chancel of Salisbury cathedral after singing Evensong on 6th March, 2025.
In October (2022) the choir visited Wells Cathedral to sing Choral Evensong. The image on the right, taken in the cloisters. show the choir enjoying a few minutes of relaxation between rehearsal and service. The more formal photo below was taken in the cathedral’s Lady Chapel with, on the extreme right, Anthony Crossland who was Organist and Master of the Choristers at the cathedral from 1970-1996.
Tony and his wife, Barbara, are now members of St Mary’s congregation and earlier that year, Tony wrote a motet for us – a setting of Oculi omnium. Sung as the Introit for our service at Wells, we were thus privileged and proud to give the first performance of Tony’s composition in the cathedral.
Comments from recent young members of the choir
‘St. Mary’s is a wonderful choir to be a member of. As well as singing beautiful music, it provides an opportunity to learn new skills, challenge yourself and make fantastic friends in an environment that is friendly, welcoming and beautiful’
Lauren
I joined St Mary’s choir after a year or so of singing with the university chamber choir. I hadn’t sung at all before that, so I felt that some extra practice wouldn’t go amiss, and fortunately due to the friendly atmosphere and other experienced singers there it was a really great place to improve my singing. I’d highly recommend it!
Ben
I truly enjoyed my time singing with the choir at St Mary’s. I was able to make new friends as well as have the opportunity to develop my voice further, which as a musician, will certainly be of use in the future.
Hamish
St Mary’s, and especially the choir, has been incredibly welcoming to me. I’ve really enjoyed the range of music and the opportunities presented by the very talented choir. Getting to sing Evensong at Wells Cathedral was an obvious highlight, a refreshing break from the typical student life. It’s been nice to get to know the members of the choir and the other students in the choir. I now can’t imagine a future that doesn’t include being in a church choir – but I know it will be hard to find somewhere to rival St Mary’s!
I would absolutely recommend the St Mary’s choir, my only regret is not finding it sooner.
Lee