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The church has a long musical tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages. The present choir consists of about 12 adults and children and are always keen to recruit new members.
The primary role of our choir is to lead the whole congregation's singing as part of our offering to God. In addition, the choir sings anthems to illustrate the themes of the day, or to create a worshipful atmosphere.
The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, which runs training courses for all choristers, especially the juniors.
Choristers are trained in the Voice for Life scheme, which consists of four levels of attainment. The workbooks contain questions, exercises and puzzles and are designed for both adults and children. Each level of the Voice for Life scheme is assessed informally by the choir trainer, and ribbons and medals are awarded to singers on successful completion of each level. School choirs and other non-robed choirs receive coloured lapel badges: light blue, dark blue, red and yellow. For church choirs, and other robed choirs, medals can be worn on the appropriately coloured ribbon.
We run a choir bursary scheme to pay for musical instrument lessons for suitable youngsters.
We are always looking for new members young and old, If you are interested in joining, please contact us.
In September 2008 we welcomed a new Music Leader, Doug Smith. We hope to enhance and diversify our music with a fresh approach. Traditional church music will still be enjoyed, but new music and accompaniments will be explored as well.
Various recitals are held throughout the year, including concerts arranged by Bridgwater Choral Society.
The Organ
The Borough records show that an organ was used in medieval times. In the 1730s the Sherborne Mercury carried an advertisement for a church organist. During the nineteenth century the organ was moved from its position above the Chancel screen to its present location, and by the 1870’s needed replacement since it was un-playable.
The present organ was built in 1871 as a new instrument by Father Henry Willis, who at that time was also working on the organ of the Albert Hall. In 1879 the care of the organ was taken over by Vowles of Bristol, who rebuilt the organ in 1922. Sixteen years later, it was found necessary to overhaul the instrument completely, and this time the work was carried out by Willis. Rebuilding was undertaken in 1965 by Percy Daniels of Bristol. As far as possible the original tonal qualities of the old Father Willis organ were preserved.
Forty years later we are planning a complete overhaul of the instrument. A leaflet detailing the history of the organ and particulars of the Organ Restoration fund-raising appeal is available.
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