Holy Trinity Choir - A choir for Girls, Boys and Adults

(from an article published in the Triangle magazine) 

It was 10-year-old Molly [Parsons-Gurr] who established a strong role for girls in the Holy Trinity choir, from a sense that she wanted access to the same experiences of her big brother, Victor. She'd seen him enjoying the experience of singing in a group, in an environment that embraced singing as a completely natural thing to do. There was no laughing or sniggering about the fact that people sang. The choir had an almost magical aura about it, seeming like a club where everyone had a good time.  Having not been part of the "in" crowd at school, this was a very inclusive place, a different "in" group which welcomed and nurtured musicianship.

Molly links her involvement in the choir to her musical career. She says that learning the precision of church music is a definite benefit for playing string instruments because it helps to attune the ear to the notes and voice of the instrument.  (And FYI for the current choir kids: Molly is in good company Chorister Stories.

The girls who are in the choir explained what they enjoy and value:

• It's fun when we work together and help to teach our partners
• We get paid!
• I have lots of fun with the warm-ups and I've learned how to read music
• Choir is interesting because we learn about different types of music
• I have fun with my friends from school and I've also made new friends
• I have a passion for music and choir has helped me to build up my skills. 
• It is fun!  We go on special outings to amazing places like Westminster Abbey. 
• I got to sit where the Queen sat!!       

The choir at Holy Trinity has a fine record of achievements and is well known throughout the Canterbury Diocese and beyond.

This reputation has led to them being invited to sing in many places, including two BBC Radio Kent carol services; several concerts with the Folkestone Choral Society and Amberley Orchestra; several services recorded by the BBC Songs of Praise television series including Remembrance 2010 and Palm Sunday 2011 and numerous cathedral trips.

In order to continue this success we have to constantly recruit new members and currently have vacancies in most sections of the choir. Girl and boy choristers should be aged between eight and eighteen and, although advantageous, previous musical experience is not essential.

Is it fun?

Singing well is good fun and the choir sings a great variety of music to a very high standard. This means that regular training is required and there is plenty to do. The choir is much appreciated by all who hear it.

The choir have been invited to sing the daily services in many cathedrals, usually for a week at a time. These tours usually take place in August and have included weeks in the cathedrals of Winchester, Wells, Christ Church Dublin, Rochester, St Edmundsbury, Guildford, Ely, Bath Abbey, Lincoln, Lichfield, Christ Church Oxford, Gloucester and Chichester, with regular day trips to Canterbury, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Faith

Children from the Christian faith, other faiths or no faith are all equally welcome in the choir.

Monthly choir pay

The choir operates within a formal disciplined environment and choristers are treated as musicians rather than 'kids'. Whilst in full-time education the young choristers receive a small amount of pocket money.  The amount paid is calculated using attendance records and the level of proficiency reached. As each level is completed the pay rate increases. Additional payments are made for weddings and other special services and events throughout the year.

We are always looking for new recruits

It is expected that new choristers to the Children's choir attend at least one event each week and this is gradually built up to a fuller commitment until they join the Senior Singers.

Children's Choir:      Fridays 6:15-7:30 pm
Senior Singers:        Fridays 7:00-8:15 pm

Children's Choir:       Sundays 10 - 11:45 am (Sung morning service at 10:30 am)
Senior Singers:         Sundays 5.30 - 7:30 pm (Sung evening service at 6:30 pm)
Holidays:                   The choir usually have a break after the major festivals at Christmas

                                  and Easter and, apart from weddings, the whole of August.

Entry to the choir

For the Children's Choir previous musical experience is not essential as FREE musical training is given. There are no formal auditions, new choristers are encouraged to come for a couple of practices to see whether it suits them. New choristers quickly make friends in the choir and a happy and safe environment is found.

The church complies with child protection guidelines and there is always a second adult present with CRB disclosure to help supervise the children. 

Other musical opportunities

We have many facilities to enable music making in the church, The choir vestry houses an upright piano and an electronic classical organ both available for practicing. The church has a Bluthner grand piano and a three-manual 1966 Walker organ, both of which are also used by external examination bodies. Organ scholarships are available to pupils with grade five piano and above and we have trained many professional musicians over the years.