The Benefice Choir

The Benefice Choir currently has over 25 Choristers, with an age range of about 80 years, who sing regularly in the three churches each Sunday. The choir rehearses together weekly but, on Sundays, Choristers attend their own churches to sing and lead the worship. The set-up is now very much three sections of one choir, rather than three choirs singing together.

This provides a robed choir to lead the worship on most Sundays throughout the year. On several occasions in the year, the whole choir leads combined services, including some Choral Evensongs. Choir Practices are held at Horne on most Thursday evenings for members of all choirs. The Choristers are used to singing together and form a happy and friendly group.

Our repertoire spans 500 years. Anyone interested in joining the Choir should contact the Director of Music, Ginette Nye.

Training and Commitment

For us to perform at a high standard, a high level of commitment is needed from each Chorister. There is no charge to be a member of the Choir, but we do rely on the loyalty of our singers to perform at our best.

When singers miss rehearsals, they miss a significant amount of preparation for services and festivals for several weeks, which impacts the whole choir’s performance. Similarly, we can only be at our best when the whole choir is present, and therefore Sundays and special occasions are vital!

The Benefice is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and the choir follows its Voice for Life Training Scheme. Many of our Choristers have achieved Awards and wear a variety of medals. Through the scheme, a better understanding of music and its use in worship is gained, along with improving vocal technique and performance standards.

Organists

At Burstow, the Organist is Roger Hind, who also arranges and composes anthems to be sung at Burstow and also for the combined Benefice Choir.

At Horne, the Organist is Peter Nye.

At Outwood the accompaniment is provided by James Wells and Emma Denny.

Practices

Choir Practices are on Thursdays. The Juniors have their own practice from 6:15pm for an hour. More children would be very welcome, from age 7 or the end of year 2.  Adults practise from 7:30pm for 90 minutes.