Have you heard of the St Augustine’s Church choir?
Because in twenty years these church musicians have established themselves as a local choir in Barkingside, going on tour to Exeter, Liverpool, Edinburgh and even Belgium!
But what is really impressive is that this local choir were the winners of the 2007 Stratford festival, the much coveted place from the locally prestigious competition, established since 1882.
Yet as the choir’s conductor, Tracy Rubery, says:
‘The choir is sociable and welcoming. There are no auditions - everyone is welcome.’
It is surely inspiring that this unselective group have proved themselves to be a capable group open to anyone who would like to share in the joy of making music together.
In the following year after winning the Stratford Festival, the choir would tour around Belgium, - but despite all this impressiveness, they still have their local commitments which they keep to.
For example they have sung in many care homes over the years, and are sure to provide music at St Augustine’s Sunday masses.
And that’s not forgetting their annual Easter and carol service, which sees them performing a variety of songs for the occasion.
These have included traditional hymns, lullabies and even sweet solos by the children.
They are also sure to perform before and during the all-important Midnight Mass service to celebrate Christmas with charming songs and hymns - it certainly keeps the congregation awake while they wait for the service to start at midnight!
Plus the St Augustine’s choir perform their very own yearly concert (which we’re greatly looking forward to in the coming month!).
Their repertoire is always varied, and often features a medley of songs from hymns to music from the musicals (I remember they sang ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ last year).
But no matter the music they choose to perform, it’s always sure to be delightful.
Last year they themed their concert in honour of a dearly departed member, Christine, performing the songs that she loved.
And this year the theme will be numbers - wondering what that could mean? - well then come along to the concert!
Cathy Davies, their organist and pianist, has been playing at St Augustine’s for forty years now, and says:
‘I’ve love the choir because we’re like a family. Everyone gets on so well together and we enjoy singing church and concert music.’
And it’s clear that she’s not alone in this sentiment - Tracy adds:
‘What I really love about the choir is that it is like an extended family. Mine and Cathy's children have all sung in the choir at some point, and there are other family groups that have been members at different times. Even when the children grew up and went off to university they came back to sing in the holidays, and keep coming even now they are adults with their own families in some cases!’
She also particularly recalls ‘travelling on the train (to their Edinburgh tour) with a huge French Flag on a broom handle for the finale of the Les Mis medley’, which is just one memory out of many that the St Augustine’s choir have been making, and continue to make, together.
Over the years, the choir have had coffee mornings in the parish, a wonderful way to chat and continue to get to know each other. Members would also then make handmade goods such as candles or knitted items to sell in order to raise funds for the choir at these events.
The activeness of this St Augustine's choir is only a part of it, though. It is clear that what truly stands out is how, without any auditions, it really is a welcoming place for everyone - even children - and all members have fun making music together.
