Music

Choir and Singing Group

activities - music singing group photo

Music at High Cross services is varied and supported by both a Choir and Singing Group.

The Choir maintains the tradition of 4-part harmony singing of the more traditional hymns and anthems. New choir members are always welcome, especially tenors and basses.

The Singing Group introduces and leads the singing of more modern lively worship songs drawn from Songs of Fellowship and other sources, and on regular occasions contributes additional contemporary items within services. It combines a team of young and older singers with an increasing and enthusiastic number of young instrumentalists forming a band who all mix in a lovely family team. We are currently seeking and will welcome new members of all ages both as singers and players.

On special festival occasions the Singing Group combines with the Choir for joint productions. From time to time the Choir and/or Singing Group will lead a complete service, often with the benefit of additional invited singers and accompanists.

There is a well-stocked music cupboard and we are open to music and liturgies drawn from a wide background. Music is seen as an activity with few barriers and as a way of drawing people into the Church - as well as for the enrichment of the worship of the church.

Concerts

The sanctuary is particularly well suited as a venue for a wide variety of concerts, both of an instrumental and vocal nature, and is frequently used by external organisations such as the Surrey Heath Choral Society, with whom we have strong links. Members of High Cross also organise concerts both of an ‘internal’ and ‘external’ nature such as organ recitals, choral events, home-grown DIY evenings and jazz concerts, with the proceeds being divided between church funds and external charities.

Organs

activities - organ1 activities - organ keyboard activities - keyboard

There are two electronic organs – a three-manual Allen organ in the sanctuary upstairs and a Wyvern two-manual instrument in the chapel on the ground floor. We currenty have two regular organists who share the rota, but we have contact with a number of external musicians whom we draw upon to fill in gaps and to provide extra accompaniment as required.

The three manual Allen Digital Organ was installed when the Church was built in 1990. The speakers are built into the roof, with the Swell in the Lantern, the Great and Pedals over the entrance doors and the Choir above the dais. This makes for "all-around" sound when the manuals are coupled, although you may hear the sound emanating from these different locations at other times.