news
October 2018
St Mary's choristers at FCM workshop
During October half term, a group of St Mary's choristers were fortunate to be involved in a workshop run by the Friends of Cathedral Music. Led by Dominic Ellis-Peckham and Suzzie Vango, this was a fantastic opportunity for them to meet cathedral and collegiate choristers from across the UK and learn some new skills.
September 2018
Farewell to Tristan McElderry, our first Organ Scholar
St Mary's was sad to bid farewell to Tristan, the first holder of the organ scholarship, and more recently Gap Year Assistant Organist at St Mary's. Tristan has been heavily involved in the development of the choir and music at St Mary's since he started as a chorister aged 12.
We wish him well in his new life as Organ Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, where he is reading for a degree in Music.
September 2017
Expansion of the St Mary's Organ Scholarship scheme
The PCC of St Mary's is delighted to announce that, thanks to the success of the organ scholarship programme at St Mary's, the scheme will now be expanded to cover two scholarships - a junior and senior position. This expansion means that St Mary's will be able to offer training and performance opportunities at a high level for more young people.
As well as the organ scholarships, several of our choristers and local young musicians now receive organ lessons through the church with members of the music team. If you are interested in joining a growing number of young people taking up the challenge of playing the organ, please contact the Director of Music, Helen Smee: dom@stmarysmertonchoir.com
Lessons for choristers (in organ, piano, singing and theory) are heavily subsidised - please enquire for details.
2nd June 2014
Grant from The Ouseley Trust
St Mary's has been given a substantial grant from the Ouseley Trust to assist with re-forming its Boys' Choir (see below). We are delighted that the project can now go ahead from September 2014 - those interested in auditioning for the Choir should contact the Director of Music here.
For more information about the work of The Ouseley Trust, visit www.ouseleytrust.org.uk
St Mary's is now on SoundCloud, where you can listen to live recordings of the Choir. Listen here.