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Choir
director Mick Perrier has just celebrated 25 years in post. He tells
us more about the Choir of St Mary's Church in Moseley.
There
has been a traditional Robed Choir at St Mary's Church in Moseley
Birmingham for well over the past century - the current choristers
follow a proud tradition!
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| St
Mary's Choir members |
The
choir currently consists of eighteen treble choristers (boys and
girls) and fifteen “back row”, many of whom were formerly
trebles in the choir.
Originally
the treble line (young sopranos) were all boys but since the early
1990s girls have been included as well.
We
are unique...
We
say "unique" because we feel that what we offer to youngsters
in our choir is unavailable in almost any other youth organisation
in the area:
We
have...
 A
solid musical training
Personal and spiritual nurture in a caring Christian environment
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| Having
fun at Alton Towers |
The
opportunity to sing high quality music as equals with adults
The opportunity to be vital cogs in the machinery which enables
a Christian community to worship
A vibrant social life
Modest "Choir Pay" for their efforts - some extra pocket
money to show appreciation
The
opportunity to travel at home and abroad, singing in exciting venues:
Birmingham Symphony Hall, the ICC, Sherborne Abbey, many Cathedrals,
Atlanta USA, Frankfurt Germany to name but a few.
Choir
commitments - what it entails...
There
are two weekly practices; Tuesday 5.00pm - 6.00pm and Friday 6.45pm
- 8.00pm.We also sing once or twice on a Sunday (we share the church
schedule with the adult St. Mary's Singers).
Regularity
and commitment are important to all members of the choir.
Former
choir members...
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| Brothers
Charles and Edward as new St. Mary's choristers - in 1906 |
Many
former members who have left for University regularly return to
sing in vacations as they appreciate the fellowship the choir offers.
Many
choristers enter for the Royal School of Church Music's Dean's and
Bishop's Chorister Awards. Since January 2004 six choristers - four
Bishop's and two Dean's - all succeeded in these prestigious exams.
| Previous
members of the choir have gone on to great things: |
David Briggs - until recently Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral
and now a busy, jet setting international organ recitalist and composer
Robert Carey - became Alto Choral Scholar at St. John's Cambridge
and Wells Cathedral and now Director of Music at Manchester Royal
Grammar School.
Jonathan Coore - became Choral Scholar at the Chapel Royal Hampton
Court Palace and now is a Music Director in Bristol
Laurence Martin - is now an international concert violinist
About
St Mary's Church, Moseley...
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| St
Mary's Church |
In
2005, St. Mary's Church, Moseley, Birmingham celebrates its six
hundredth anniversary!
The
Pope gave permission for a chapel of ease in 1405, as the nearest
church was at Kings Norton and the journey difficult. Stone for
the building of a tower was later given by Elizabeth of York.
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