Spalding Parish Church Choir
This month of April marks 40 years since I took over from Colin Martin as Organist and Choirmaster.
I took my first choir practice on Friday April 24th April 1981, and my first Sunday was the Sunday after Easter (26th April 1981).
Just a reminder that here are no Choir Activities for the moment
We hope that it will be possible to resume some choir activities later in 2021
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Photo taken at St Paul's Cathedral on 27th May 2019
Up until 'lockdown' in March 2020, the Choir of St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding, had 50 members -
24 treble (boy) choristers; 8 junior boys and 18 men.
Later in 2021 we hope to resume singing at Sunday Morning Services (at 10.30am). Eventually we hope to re-instate Evensong, Practices and Choir Club - as soon as it it is practical and safe for everyone.
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One of the unique qualities of the choir is the number of trebles who remain as members to sing lower parts after their voices have broken.
The choir has a reputation as one of the leading choirs in Lincolnshire and has sung at many of the great cathedrals of the country, including St George's Chapel, Windsor in 2018 and St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in 2019.
It is one of the few completely voluntary choirs of boys and men remaining in Lincolnshire.
The choir leads the singing at the 11am Prayer Book Sung Eucharist each week and at the 6.30pm Evensong each week.
Full Choral Evensong is included once a month, usually on the 4th Sunday.
The choir is one of the few that continues to sing choral services during holiday times, including August.
During holiday times a number of of ex-members return from university to sing with us.
The choir has a long tradition of choral music and offers a unique musical and educational opportunity to choristers.
Boys attend various courses during their time in the choir, and many have achieved awards in our own Chorister Training Scheme.
Weekly choir practices are held on Fridays from 7.00 to 8.15pm.
There is a supervised Choir Club for the boys which meets on Wednesdays after school between 3.15pm and 6.15pm.
During this time sectional rehearsals are held with various groups of the trebles and younger men.
Monthly outings are organised for choir members, and recent outings have taken place to Sutton-on Sea, AlleyCatz Ten Pin Bowling, Bourne Indoor Pool and The Burtey Fen Collection at Pinchbeck.
Whilst always aiming for a reasonable musical standard, our over-riding aim is to enhance the music of the services, together with a sense of achievement, team work and enjoyment.
Membership of the choir requires a sense of commitment and self-discipline, and, besides their musical training, boys are encouraged in loyalty and consideration for others.
Anyone who may be interested in choir membership is invited to contact the Director of Music, Nicholas Pitts, on 01775 766081 for more details or come and meet him after a service.