• The first organists remained in their posts for many years and new ones were chosen from many applicants, unlike today when churches struggle to find an organist.
Organists/Choirmasters through the years shows what happened from when records began up until 2017.
Mark Blackwell, organist and choir master for three years, retired in April 2018. As a result locum organists were employed and Martin Hinckley, a choir member, again took over liaising with them and directing the choir.
Thom Stanbury was appointed organist/choirmaster after ten months. Thom says: “My vision is that music can and should be a key element of worship, strengthening and adding resonance and relevance to the work of a parish church. This vision is informed by my own lived experience ..... My vision is of a choir that takes joy in unlocking together a new work, or revisiting a familiar one, to find the truest possible performance and understanding.”
• The organ, originally built by Bishop for St Peter’s, Eaton Square in the 1830s, was bought for £150 by Revd Fitz Wygram in 1874. It has been said that “the organ at St James is one of the finest in the area, is a great asset to the church and one commented on by many visiting musicians”. The organ is now a three manual and pedal organ and contains hundreds of pipes of different sizes. Through the years the organ has undergone many cleanings, repairs, refurbishments, modernisations, additions and improvements.
The Organ through the years shows what happened from when records began up until 2017.
• The church choir supports the congregation regularly, though not every week, at the Sunday Parish Communion services. In addition to the hymns, it sings at least one anthem, usually during the administration of Holy Communion and occasionally an introit. The choir also leads the singing in the traditional Carol Service and takes part in many special services throughout the year, helping to celebrate Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and other important milestones in the Church Year. There are occasional special Sunday Evensongs.
St James's Choir through the years shows what happened from when records began up until 2017. The picture above shows the second organist at St James's, Mr Dawkins, with the choir in 1877.
• St. James's Players, a musical ensemble, accompanied the hymns during the All-age Services, played quiet music before the service, processional music at the end and anything else that needed playing.
St James's Players through the years shows what happened from when records began up until the group eventually wound up during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
• Recitals and concerts have been held in the church, probably since Revd Fitz Wygram was vicar, performed by different local community groups.
Concerts & Recitals through the years shows what happened from when records began up until 2017.
The links above show what happened from when records began up until 2017. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting Reports show the annual reports from most teams and groups since then. (Scroll down the document of the year you are interested in to find the report you want)
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St James's Players |
Organ pipes |
The Choir |