Music for Lent

In Lent the organ is used more sparingly and the mood changes to sombre minor keys. Richard Farrant (c.1530-1580) was a Master of the Chapel Royal and organist of St George’s chapel, Windsor. Healey Willan was born in Balham in 1880 and emigrated to Canada where he became Professor of Music in Toronto.  He claimed to be English by birth, Canadian by adoption, Irish by descent and Scotch by absorption! He died in 1968.

Feb 26th 1st Sunday of Lent Repent and believe

Organ: Prelude “Jesus Christus unser heiland” Dietrich Buxtehude

Choral Introit - Jesu grant me this I pray verse 1 Orlando Gibbons

CHoral Anthem - Lord for thy tender mercy’s sake OEAB Hilton

Organ: Prelude and Fughetta Cesar Franck

March 4 Second Sunday of Lent Deny yourself and take up your cross

Organ: Prelude “O Lamm Gott unschuldig” Johann Sebastian Bach

Choral Introit - Hark my soul! It is the Lord A & M 344 verses 1 & 6 J.B.Dykes

Choral Anthem - Hide not thou thy face OBFA p.110 Richard Farrant

Organ: Prelude “Herzliebster Jesu” Johannes Brahms

March 27 Third Sunday of Lent You have the message of eternal life

Organ: Prelude “O man thy grievous sin bemoan” Johann Sebastian Bach

Choral Introit - Psalm 69 verses 1 to 8 Plainchant

Choral Anthem - Ave verum OBFA p.132 Edward Elgar

Organ: Prelude “O sacred head” Johann Sebastian Bach

March 18 Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday Parade service We are all God’s children

Organ: Meditation on Arcadelt’s “Ave Maria” Franz Liszt

Choral Introit - There is a longing Quigley

Choral Anthems - As a mother cradles her child David Ogden and Ave Maria  Jakob Arcadelt

Organ: Fantasia in C minor Johann Sebastian Bach

March 25th Fifth Sunday of Lent We are called to serve

Organ: Prelude on “Aberyswyth” Healey Willan

Choral Introit - Hymn 80 Orlando Gibbons

Choral Anthem - Call to remembrance Richard  Farrant

Organ: Fugal trilogy No.1 in G minor Healey Willan

Meet the Choir

Gorgeous little village church with a gorgeous choir! - by Vicky Newman

Before Christmas I joined the choir at St Andrew’s church in Coulsdon. On Sunday 1st February, I was officially ‘admitted’ to the choir in a lovely ceremony at the start of the Sunday morning service. I am sharing this story because I think that it might be of interest to other people living in Coulsdon. Having lived here for six years, I have walked past St Andrew’s numerous times and always thought that it’s a gorgeous, little ‘village church’.

In December, I went to a couple of Sunday services, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I kept looking at the choir and thinking “I want to be singing with them”. So, I plucked up my courage to ask the choir master if he needed any new members. I was very nervous because I had not sung formally in a choir for years, and also because I can only read music a little. However, I love singing, I listen to music all the time, and I seem to be able to pick it up. So, I hoped that this would be enough!  I joined the choir at a busy time: we had the carol service, and we sang carols at two residential homes in Coulsdon in addition to the normal services. What fun this was! I was away at Christmas, and whilst I had a lovely time in Whitstable, I was a little sad to miss singing in the Christmas services, especially midnight mass.

If anyone is thinking of joining a church choir, don’t be put off if you cannot read music, or haven’t sung for a while. I have found the choir to be incredibly friendly and helpful, and this has encouraged me to persevere - and to start teaching myself to read music properly. Having mixed with the congregation on numerous occasions now, I can still say that I think that St Andrew’s is a gorgeous little village church! If anyone feels inspired, you can contact John Woodhouse, Director of Music. 

Email:  info@standrews.coulsdon.net