The Junior choir at Holy Cross
Does your child like music? Do they enjoy singing? Would you like them to benefit from a free musical education rarely found outside a specialist cathedral choir school?
If so, then the Holy Cross Choir is the ideal place for them to come and sing.
The Church of the Holy Cross at Crediton is an active participant in the local community, with events such as the annual flower festival bringing prestige to the town and area. Our choir, well known and respected in the county, forms the backbone of the Church, singing weekly services, giving regular concerts, recording CDs and touring both around the country and Europe. Recent concerts featured works such as Duruflé’s Requiem, Rutter’s Gloria (an exciting work for brass and organ) and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols (trebles only version) accompanied by guest harpist, Luc Walpot. We have often broadcast our carol services on BBC Radio, most recently in 2008.
As well
as a core of around 25 adult singers, the choir includes a treble
section of children aged between 7 to 15 whose voices form an
integral part of our music. Our trebles are given individual musical
training to a high standard; this training is not just in singing,
but in all aspects of musical theory. This level of training early
on provides them with a great advantage in musical terms; many of
our choristers have continued with music to degree level and are now
following successful musical careers. Our junior choristers also
receive a small sum of money each term depending on how far they
have progressed with their training, and are paid additionally for
any weddings at which they are asked to sing.
However, the choir
is not just about singing! The junior choristers enjoy an active
social life, including swimming, ten-pin bowling, trips to the
cinema and pantomime and choir outings. There is also a Choir Club
after the junior rehearsal on a Tuesday. Healthy competition is
encouraged, with prizes given to both the best chorister and winning
chorister team of the term. The atmosphere within the treble section
is very friendly and welcoming, and provides a unique place in which
children can both learn and flourish.
The Holy Cross Choir really
is a rare opportunity for a child to experience something normally
found only within a specialist musical school. We currently have
vacancies for 8 boys and 3 girls, which will be decided by a voice
test. Highlights in 2009 included cathedral visits, a visit to
Crediton by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2010 we hope to tour
France in spring/summer, giving concerts in some of the wonderful
cathedrals and churches there.
We also hope to visit Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, to sing evensong there. If you or your child are interested or would like any further information, please contact the Director of Music, by email (stevenemartin@gmail.com) or by post, c/o The Boniface Centre, Church Lane, Crediton, Devon, EX17 2AH.