Nottingham City Centre Church Group

From The Times 9 January 2010:

“St Mary’s Church…is a towering 15th-century building in Perpendicular Gothic style, with all manner of crenellations and gargoyles; duck inside during a service and marvel at the way a 20-piece choir fills the vaulted space with sound.”

Biography

Under the leadership of John Keys, the Choir of St Mary’s Church is recognised as one of the region’s finest. Renowned for its versatility and wide repertoire it performs music from plainsong through to first performances. It can easily adapt to performing a Bach passion and, as it proved in 2002 and March 2007, can cope with the demands of Verdi’s Requiem. The choir sings three times a week at Wednesday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong. In 2001 a choral scholarship scheme was launched and has succeeded in attracting some of the most promising young singers from both Nottingham universities. The choir performs regularly in concert on its own and with St Mary’s resident orchestra, The Orchestra of the Restoration. Recent concert works include Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Monteverdi’s Vespers with The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, Biber’s Missa Salisburgensis, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Rutter’s Requiem, Bach’s St Matthew Passion, St John Passion and Mass in B minor. Broadcasts include Sunday Half-Hour and In Praise of God for BBC World Service, Radio 4’s The Daily Service and Sunday Worship, BBC Radio Nottingham’s Annual Carol Service and BBC 1’s Songs of Praise. Overseas the choir has performed in Paris, Belgium and Germany, and in the summer of 2008 gave concerts in Umbria (details here). The Choir sang Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Monday 17 - Wednesday 19 August, 2009 and the services at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin on October 25, 2009.

John Keys – Director of Music

Rehearsing at Assisi 2008

JOHN KEYS has been Director of Music at St Mary’s since 1984. In that time the artistic life of the church has bloomed in his hands and continues to evolve. As well as being responsible for the provision of music for services at St Mary’s, being Artistic Director of the Orchestra of the Restoration and having a heavy teaching load, he is in great demand as accompanist, continuo player and recitalist. On November 4, 2009, he was presented with an Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians by His Grace, The Archbishop of Westminster.

Andrew Abbott - The Organist

ANDREW ABBOTT studied organ in Birmingham under George Miles at Harborne Parish Church. He played regularly at St. David’s Shenley Green before being appointed assistant organist at St Martin’s in the Bull Ring while still at school. During his music degree at Nottingham University he received organ tuition from John Keys and won the University’s Barber Organ Scholarship. After graduating, Andrew was appointed as assistant organist at St Mary’s. Andrew is well known locally as a recitalist, accompanist and continuo player.

Organists

Dr Paul Sibly

Paul has sustained strong interests in choral and organ music throughout his teaching career, and has been pleased to maintain this at St Mary’s since 1999 alongside his post as Deputy Headmaster at Nottingham High School. Previously he has been in charge of music at Christ Church Highbury (London), All Saints’ Wokingham and Holy Trinity Sunningdale, as well as helping at other churches in Berkshire.

Organ Scholar

Max Puller

Recruitment

Choral Scholars The St Mary’s Choral Scholars Trust awards ten scholarships each year for students over the age of 18 in further and higher education. Each scholarship is worth £800 per annum, paid in arrears each term. Although the award is usually for one year, some scholars apply on a termly or semester basis. Scholarships are obtained by audition and interview, and scholars are welcome to apply for further awards in subsequent years.

Scholars 07-08. Basilica S Francesco d'Assisi, 31 August, 2008

Commitment Each scholar is expected to rehearse and sing the mid-week service (usually a Wednesday Evensong), attend a weekly rehearsal for an hour and sing both Sunday morning and evening services. In addition, there are a few extra services throughout the year, and scholars have the chance of singing at weddings and funerals for additional fees. Such commitment demands both good voices and a reasonable sight-reading ability. The scholarships are available for bass, tenor, countertenor, and female soprano voices. They are awarded solely on merit throughout the year.

How to contact us

For further information please contact John Keys, Director of Music, by email: scholarships@stmaryschoirnottingham.com