Choral Music at All Hallows

At All Hallows Church we have an enthusiastic and growing adult choir who sing at the 10.00am Parish Eucharist (except the Family Service on the last Sunday of the month),  at Choral Evensong and Benediction, and on other special occasions during the year. We also have approximately 12 members of our ‘Augmented Choir’ who join us for some Choral Evensongs and other special services.

We are (even if we say so ourselves!), a very friendly group and we try to enjoy our rehearsals as much as possible, whilst aiming to reach the highest possible standard in our singing. We offer a warm welcome to any new singers who would like to join us.

At the 10.00am service the choir lead the singing in hymns and the communion service setting (usually the Anglican Folk Mass by Martin Shaw as well as contributing a communion anthem. On certain occasions we sing a fully choral setting of the service (we have recently sung settings by Herbert Sumsion, George Oldroyd and Adrian Batten).

Choral Evensong and Benediction takes place approximately eight times a year and is a fully choral service at which our (usually augmented) choir take a leading role; Choral settings of the responses and canticles are sung, and there is an introit and anthem.

In addition to these regular services, there are several ’special’ events during the year:

• Solemn Requiem for All Souls (This year it is on November 8th and we will be singing Faure’s setting of the Requiem Mass)
• ‘Lighten our Darkness’ on Advent Sunday evening – A dramatic service of music and readings progressing from darkness to light.
• Nine Lessons and Carols – Always one of the musical highlights of the year; this year it is on Tuesday 22nd December at 7.30pm.
• Music and Readings for Passiontide – Usually on Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday evening. 

We rehearse in church every Friday evening (except during August) from 7.15pm to 8.45pm - meeting in the Choir Vestry from 7.00pm for a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits (and occasionally a glass of wine!).  On those Sundays when we are singing Choral Evensong, we usually rehearse from 4.30pm to 5.50 and then refresh ourselves with tea and cakes before singing the service at 6.30pm.

We are always keen to welcome new singers who would like to join us, either on a regular or occasional basis.  If you would like to know more, please contact Philip Booth (Director of Music)  on 0208 560 3638 or by e-mail:  philipbooth1@btinternet.com.