Holy Trinity is an Anglican church that aims to be friendly and inclusive, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. 

We have a long-standing choral tradition set in a fine acoustic. Our robed choir and organists make a major contribution to the worship of the church through sung services.

The choir vestry houses an upright piano and an electronic classical organ, both available for practising, and the church has two grand pianos, another electronic classical organ and a fine three-manual 1966 Walker pipe organ.

About the Choir

Our mixed adult choir of all ages and junior choir from age 8-18 sings music across the whole church choral repertoire spanning all centuries and genres.

It 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 the Amberley Orchestra; services recorded by the BBC Songs of Praise television series, including most recently Remembrance 2010 and Palm Sunday 2011.

Singing Opportunities for Beginners

worth up to £75 a year each, available to 8-18 year olds, no previous singing experience needed

Singing well is good fun, and we sing a great variety of sacred music to a high standard during our regular weekly church services. No prior experience is required, just an enthusiasm for singing, as regular FREE musical training is provided. There is always plenty to do, and the choir is much appreciated by all who hear it. Choristers follow ‘Voice for Life’, a music training programme from the Royal School of Church Music, of which we are a member.  All children are supervised by adults with DBS and Safeguarding training. 

8-18-year-olds receive a small monthly amount calculated using attendance and the level of proficiency reached. As each level is completed, the rate increases and additional payments are made for weddings and other special services and events. The choir pay is funded by the church to encourage attendance and the continuance of the choir.

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

Children's Choir:      Fridays 6:30-7:30 pm, Sundays 10-11:45 am (Morning service at 10:30 am)
Senior Singers:        Fridays 6:30-8:00 pm, as above, plus Sundays 5.30 - 7:30 pm (Evening service at 6:30 pm)      

Additional services:  Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Holidays:                  Apart from occasional weddings, we don’t usually sing in August..                                                

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

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 following cathedrals:

Bath Abbey,  Chichester, Christ Church Dublin, Christ Church Oxford, Ely, Gloucester, Guildford, Lichfield, Lincoln, Rochester, St Edmundsbury and Wells.  With day trips to

Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral in London and Winchester Cathedral..

How to Join

Come along to any service for an informal chat with our Director of Music or send your details to him either by post to Holy Trinity Church, Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2HQ or by e-mail to dom@trinitybenefice.co.uk.

Four Choral Scholarships

We have four Choral Scholarships worth up to £375 a year each available to 15-18 year olds with previous singing experience. Offered for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years.

These choral scholarships are a wonderful way of gaining experience of singing at a high standard in a group that covers a large repertoire of sacred music.  It is also excellent preparation for any young musician wanting to pursue music further, especially singers who may wish to apply for choral awards at university. 

As a choral scholar, you would be expected to commit to regular attendance at Friday evening choir rehearsals and both Sunday services on the first four weeks of the month. The morning services are usually Eucharistic from 10:30-11:40 with a pre-service rehearsal at 10 am. The evening services usually take the form of a Cathedral-style Choral Evensong from 6:30 - 7:15 with a pre-service rehearsal at 5:30 pm. Additional services include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we don’t usually sing during August.                

How to apply

Entry to the choir for scholars is via a short, informal audition. We are looking for people with a clear voice who have some sight singing ability. If interested, you should send your details together with any previous experience to the Director of Music either by post to Holy Trinity Church, Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2HQ.or by e-mail to dom@trinitybenefice.co.uk.

These choral scholarships are funded by the “Onward Trust”, given specifically to assist with the costs of singing tuition in the Choir. 

Organ Scholarship

Worth up to £500 a year; available to 15-18 year olds, with at least grade five piano.

Offered for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years.

Our organ scholarship is an excellent opportunity to gain experience as a part-time assistant organist. Experience in accompanying, conducting, and other aspects of music-making in the church is gained. It can provide opportunities to play for services, work with the choir and gives access to practice on our fine 3 manual Walker instrument. 

Organ scholars will have reached a standard equivalent to at least Grade 5 in piano studies, and an ability to sing would also be helpful, as there would be an expectation to sing when not playing or conducting. 

As Organ Scholar, you would be expected to commit to regular attendance at Friday evening choir rehearsals and both Sunday services on the first four weeks of the month. The morning services are usually Eucharistic from 10:30-11:40 with a pre-service rehearsal at 10 am. The evening services usually take the form of a Cathedral-style Choral Evensong from 6:30 - 7:15 with a pre-service rehearsal at 5:30 pm. Additional services include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,  

Funded by the “Friends of the Music”.We have helped train many professional musicians over the years.

How to apply

Send your details to the Director of Music either by post to Holy Trinity Church,

Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2HQ or by e-mail to dom@trinitybenefice.co.uk.