The Choir

The Church Choir consists of about thirty choristers and twenty adult singers. It sings at the weekly Sunday Eucharist, at a monthly Sunday Evensong (the third Sunday of the month) and on all the major feasts and Holy Days as well as giving concerts both in the Church, within the town and further afield. The wide repertoire of music draws from the large Anglican heritage of music, from plainchant to the present day, as well as including music from other Christian traditions.

The Choristers are drawn from around the Parish and beyond and are not tied to a specific choir school. They rehearse twice weekly as well as receiving tuition in line with the RCSM ‘Voice for life’ scheme. As well as its significant role within the working life of the Church, the Choir is active within Parish and town of Dartford, singing at many civic, ecumenical and local services. Singing away from home, tours include a yearly visit to Ypres in Belgium to join with the City in the Cathedral for its Remembrance Day services. The Choir has also sung in many cathedrals around London and the South-East of England; most recently visiting Brecon Cathedral when they sang for the Cathedral's services one week last April.

THE CHORISTERS
Girls and boys are normally accepted into the Church Choir from as early as 6 years old. They begin as Probationers before being accepted as full Choristers. As they grow and develop musically, they have the opportunity of taking examinations to stand testament to their abilities (both internal and external examinations are in line with the RCSM ‘Voice for life’ scheme); some also have further responsibilities within the choir – there is presently a Head Chorister and Deputy Head Chorister who are supported by team of senior choristers. Holy Trinity's Choristers are paid unlike children at many churches and cathedrals; with each higher grade of responsibility comes higher pay! As their voices mature (or break in the case of the boys) the choristers very often sing as part of the adult choir.

A Chorister’s life is unique, offering a wonderful musical education with the opportunity to take part in tours, recordings and concerts. Being a church chorister is a remarkable experience. During their years in the choir they will be trained to professional standards in performing. They will acquire a sense of purpose, of self-discipline, an ability to organise their time, and an awareness both of adult standards and of glorious music, words and architecture. It is a training which sets a child up for life, in whatever field he or she may eventually choose.

On Friday afternoons there is rehearsal at which provision is made for refreshment after a hard day’s schooling before the Choristers begin working hard to learn music for the services. Supervision is in place throughout and after the rehearsals in order that children may stay should the specific hours of rehearsal not be practicable for parents. On Sunday mornings they rehearse and sing at the services after which they may stay for further help with their examination preparation. All this happens within term-time; school holidays are all observed, except for a few days over Christmas and Easter. There are also plenty of non-musical activities such as outings to the skating rink, cinema and indoor bowling alley!

THE ADULTS
Presently there are around twenty full time adult singers in the Choir. Unlike many churches that have choristers in the choir, Holy Trinity’s Church Choir has singers of all voice parts including soprano. The adults rehearse on a Friday evening after the Choristers’ rehearsals have finished. The adults often sing as a choir in their own right, and just as the children do, have fun socially as well as musically! Amongst the adults there are many skills both musical and otherwise and with their gifts they help ensure the standards of music making at Holy Trinity go from strength to strength.

HOW TO GET FURTHER INFORMATION
If your son or daughter or a child you know enjoys music and singing and would be interested in becoming a chorister or you would like to sing in the adult choir please write, email or telephone:

The Director of Music
Holy Trinity Church
High Street
DARTFORD
DA1 1DE
Email: dom@fitvoices.org
Phone: 01322 227317