On 8 September 1986 our church was rededicated following extensive renovation after the devasting fire the year before. We celebrated with a service of thanksgiving on Saturday 12 September 2026, and a concert of Songs of Celoebration on Sunday 4 October. If you missed it and want to catch up, or if you were there … More Rededication Aniversary Celebrations
This article was written for the September 2023 issue of our parish magazine, as part of a series on coronatoin anthems. Earlier this year the Royal School of Church Music launched 2Sing for the King”, an open invitation to all choirs throughout the UK to join in song to celebrate the coronation of King Charles … More The Mountains Shall Bring Peace – Joanna Forbes l’Estrange (b.1971)
You may recognise the text of the ‘Irish Blessing’ from souvenir mugs or tea towels: May the road rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,And the rain fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you ever in the palm of … More Irish Blessing – Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
This article was written for the August 2023 issue of our parish magazine, as part of a series about coronatoin anthems. Based on Psalm 34:8, this anthem was composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was also sung at her funeral last year. The text is: O taste and see how … More O Taste and See – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
What is a “chant”? From football terraces to political demonstrations to playground rhymes and perhaps even ancient plainchant, we have all chanted in one form or another. But the questions stands: what is “chant”? The Latin cantare means “to sing”, with cantus being a song, or singing. The French chanter means “to sing”, with chant … More The Sound of Prayer: Chant in Worship
St Margaret’s and St George’s churches both have pipe organs. St Margaret’s also has a grand piano, a choir, and full sets of two types of hymn books. We are not given to singing worship songs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that kind of music in worship, but they are better suited to churches with … More Come All You Vagabonds – Stuart Townend (b. 1963)
This article was written for the Juje 2023 issue of our parish magazine. Here it is for you again. Last month saw the coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey – over 70 years since the last time such an event happened on our shores. The music was fabulous, and got me thinking about … More Zadok the Priest – G F Handel (1685-1759)
Formerly known as Maggie’s Music Makers, the time has come to rebrand and relaunch our parish choir, in a way that reflects the group’s evolution over the past nine years, and that readies the group for future development. The existing name was perfect for the group when it was first formed, but it is time … More St Margaret’s Voices
This article was written for the May issue of our parish magazine. Here it is for you again. As Rev Christine pointed out in her May letter to the parish, this year, Ascension Day, Pentecost and Trinity all fall within May. It’s an extraordinarily busy time for musicians – with no space for respite after … More I Will Sing to the Spirit– John Rutter (b. 1945)
This article first appeared in the May 2023 edition of our parish magazine. Tom and I are always open to suggestions of music – instrumental or vocal, hymns or anthems – that could be incorporated into our services at St Margaret’s. Sometimes, the suggestions are not seasonally appropriate, so they have to wait until later … More Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective
