The Godfrey Searle Choir is a choir local to Reigate, affiliated with the choir school Reigate St. Mary’s.
I am honored to have chatted with Mrs. Tali Glynne-Jones, the conductor and choral director of the Godfrey Searle Choir, who is also the Head of Choral Music at RGS.
Glynne-Jones provided us with a sneak peek into life as a Godfrey Searle chorister, the choir’s history, and some events that the choristers are looking forward to.
When asked about the choir’s founding story, Glynne-Jones introduced Godfrey Searle, the founder of the choir, who was a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Before his death in 1953, he left his estate in Chart Lane, Reigate, to become a choir school for boys, which is now St. Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School.
The choir remains the heart of the school, with its young choristers and lay clerks singing in services at St. Mary’s Church every week.
Glynne-Jones described serving as a chorister as a big commitment. ‘Choristers in the choir are expected to attend morning rehearsals before school, and after school as well.’
Despite the challenges of busy rehearsal schedules and the winter months being prime for colds and viruses, Glynne-Jones is optimistic about the loyalty and team spirit of the Godfrey Searle Choir.
‘Choristers are challenged to be supportive and loyal in spite of difficulties as they recognize the importance of being in a small team and working together,’ she said.
Glynne-Jones then talked about the upcoming events of the choir in the next academic year that she and the choristers are looking forward to.
She expressed her anticipation for the Christmas Carol services in December and the revisit to St. Paul’s Cathedral in March 2025.
As she mentioned the visit to St. Paul’s cathedral, she said, ‘This is a rare experience for any chorister and one that will create special memories.’
The choir will be singing an evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral, a prestigious cathedral in London and one of the largest dome cathedrals in the world.
When asked about her role as the choral director of the choir for the past 10 years, Glynne-Jones shared how special it is to make music every day with young people who love to sing and do it well.
She also expressed her adoration for the Choir Room, located in the school.
‘It is a beautiful space,’ she said. ‘It remains traditional in its feel, taking us back in time and enhancing the idea of sacred choral singing as being something well worth preserving.’
The choir now boasts over 70 years of history.
Its choristers continue to sing a large repertoire of sacred choral music, psalms, canticles, and responses regularly at St. Mary’s and other cathedrals, continuing the choir’s traditions.
