Music at St Mark's

At St Mark’s, music is considered a very important part in the ministry of the church. The church choir maintains a cathedral-style repertoire and regularly tours some of the best UK cathedrals. Music, and the four-part choir, are led by the Choirmaster and supported by an excellent organist. The choir is comprised of around 30 men, women and children led by Andrew Wilson, our Director of Music, supported by our excellent resident organist Ralf Ayling-Miller. We are always keen to welcome new members. We are affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and our junior choristers participate in the ribbon award training schemes offered by the  RSCM and the Diocese of Rochester.

    

 

The choir sings every Sunday morning at the 10.00am, Choral Eucharist and the monthly Choral Evensong, usually on the last Sunday of the month at 6.30pm during term time. In addition, the choir leads the church in worship at special occasions and seasonal services, including our Nine Lessons and Carols Service at Christmas.

Here is our music list for the current term.

The Organ

The church has a fine 3-manual Hunter organ that was rebuilt by Rushworth and Draper of Liverpool. The instrument is perfectly voiced for the building and as such, is considered one of the most accomplished instruments in South London. Our resident organist is Ralf Ayling-Miller.

 

More information on the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register under reference N14216.

St. Mark’s Chamber Choir

An important element of the music at St. Mark’s is the Chamber Choir. This is a small group of young singers aged up to the age of 18, who also sing at the Sunday Choral Eucharist and Choral Evensong and supplement the main church choir. They rehearse on a Thursday before the main choir rehearsal.

Choral Scholars

At St. Mark’s we offer a Choral Scholarship programme – applications are sought from young people who wish to improve their singing ability, choral music knowledge and a sense of the Christian faith. St Mark’s offers up to four positions each year usually commencing at the start of the academic term in September. Each scholar is paid a monthly honorarium for which they are expected to attend Thursday choir rehearsals and the services each Sunday. The Choral Scholarship is an engaging way of gaining experience of singing and working with a group of others to a strong standard. Previous choristers and scholars have subsequently moved forward to university choral scholarships and careers in music.
 

More information

If you would like to know more about the music at St. Mark’s please contact the Director of Music, Andrew Wilson