Music has always played a part in services at St. Mary’s and for more than the past hundred years the church has maintained a strong choral tradition. St. Mary’s Choir currently consists of some eighteen Treble choristers (boys and girls) and twelve “back row”, many of whom were formerly Trebles in the choir.
As well as singing for the services of the church, the choir has a thriving exchange with the Eschersheim Youth Choir in Frankfurt (the latest in February 2005) and undertakes singing holidays deputising for established Cathedral Choirs during their vacations. In February 2000 and again in February 2004 the choir undertook a singing tour to Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It has been invited to be Choir in Residence at Washington National Cathedral, USA during August 2006.
Last Christmas the Choir sang for events at the ICC, Highbury Hall, the Custard Factory and at Victoria Hall, Leamington Spa. Similar invitations have been received for this year. Last year’s Training week was at St. Asaph’s Cathedral, North Wales while this year’s saw the Choir at Sherborne Abbey. In September it sang Evensong at Bath Abbey and is looking forward to doing the same at Birmingham Cathedral on January 21st 2006.
Being part of the church means they share in worship, they are encouraged in their faith, they receive pastoral care and can offer their gifts and talents in God’s service. In addition today’s children need every educational advantage, and singing in St. Mary’s Choir helps develop reading, language, concentration, self-discipline, social and team skills. It instils a sense of achievement and offers a free musical education which is hard to match. Indeed, few other activities offer youngsters such great educational rewards in return for the amount of time spent in their pursuit. In addition we try to make it great fun!
We base our training on that of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) which provides instruction and incentive through a series of graded standards. There are also Provost’s and Bishop’s Chorister Awards: in the past twelve months four St. Mary’s Choristers have obtained their Provost’s Awards and three their Bishop’s.
A choir such as St. Mary’s is one of the only skilled activities in which children and adults participate on equal terms and in maintaining a strong choral element in our services each Sunday we offer opportunities to youngsters not easily found elsewhere in the area. The unique training of a chorister is also recognised by many universities, some of which offer choral scholarships regardless of the course of study pursued. Membership of a church choir is a valuable addition to any young person’s CV, highlighting as it does those qualities of commitment, dedication, self-discipline and teamwork which are so sought after in the workplace.
Tuesday: 5:15 p.m. — 6:15 p.m.
Friday: 6:45 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
(Cubs are allowed to arrive late and Scouts to leave early.
Brownies and Guides are also accommodated)
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. Services 1st & 3rd Sundays monthly
11:15 a.m. Service 1st Sunday
6:30 p.m. Services 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sundays
Trebles are usually accepted from their 7th birthday and can come from any church background or from none at all. They need not have any previous musical or singing experience. Boys usually sing until their voice changes in their teens after which most stay on to sing in the adult sections of the choir. Girls continue singing Soprano until they leave school.
As well as the educational, social and personal benefits the choir offers there are some tangible rewards to demonstrate our appreciation of the work the Trebles do.
There is Choir Pay: Trebles receive a modest amount of pocket money each quarter based on their attendance and performance.
There is The 75% Club: those who achieve 75% attendance or better each term are treated to an outing or other reward. These have typically been bowling trips, visits to Drayton Manor Park, ice skating, the cinema or theatre.
Occasional sporting fixtures are held: football against other choirs The First Friday Club is for those aged 14 and over: fish & chips and a video monthly.
St Mary’s Church follows the Bishop of Birmingham’s Child Protection Policy.
Contrary to popular opinion everybody can sing! We have not yet failed to make a youngster into a useful member of the choir — if not into a budding Pavarotti!
Mick Perrier has been in post at St Mary’s since 1978. Educated in London and at Birmingham University, he was formerly Organist at St. Michael’s Church, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield. He holds several posts which have given him much experience both in the fields of Church Music and Education:
We are not in the business of encouraging youngsters away from existing church commitments elsewhere. If what you have read has awakened an interest in singing in a church choir why not contact your own Organist to see what is on offer in your church. If, however, you are not currently committed or feel that what St. Mary’s offers would benefit you, or would like further information, then contact:
Michael Perrier BA ARCO ARCM MIITT
7 Melbury Grove, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 6BN
Tel./Fax: 0121 604 8218
E-mail: mick@mperrier.freeserve.co.uk