St. Andrew’s Junior Choir  

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St. Andrew’s Choir runs a thriving junior section, currently of 21 members, aged between 7 and 17.  Junior Choristers attend Friday choir practices from 6.15 to 7.15pm in Church, together with Sunday morning services (and occasionally other services - see below).  There aren’t usually any practices during August, or in the weeks immediately following Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Day.

 

 

You are expected to attend on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings, but sometimes this will not be possible through illness, holidays etc. It is important to let the choirmaster know if you're not going to be at a service or practice.
Rectangular Callout: You are expected to attend on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings, but sometimes this will not be possible through illness, holidays etc. It is important to let the choirmaster know if you're not going to be at a service or practice.

When do we have to attend?
Cloud Callout: When do we have to attend?

 

Are there any other special services?
Cloud Callout: Are there any other special services?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to regular Sunday morning services, weddings are held on Saturday afternoons, normally in the months between April and September.  Occasionally, junior choristers sing at other services, particularly around Christmas or Easter, such as the Christingle service (on a Sunday afternoon in early December) and the Carol Service, usually held on the Sunday evening before Christmas.  There is also a Good Friday family service, and an Ascension Day service (on a Thursday in late May/June).  This starts at the top of the tower at 6.45am, and is followed by breakfast. Then we all go to school afterwards!
Rectangular Callout: In addition to regular Sunday morning services, weddings are held on Saturday afternoons, normally in the months between April and September.  Occasionally, junior choristers sing at other services, particularly around Christmas or Easter, such as the Christingle service (on a Sunday afternoon in early December) and the Carol Service, usually held on the Sunday evening before Christmas.  There is also a Good Friday family service, and an Ascension Day service (on a Thursday in late May/June).  This starts at the top of the tower at 6.45am, and is followed by breakfast. Then we all go to school afterwards!

Do we pay a subscription?
Cloud Callout: Do we pay a subscription?

Away from St. Andrew’s, the choir goes to the annual Diocesan Choral Festival at Wells Cathedral on a Saturday in June or July.  About 350 people from church choirs across the Diocese attend this.  Juniors are also encouraged to attend the RSCM three-day non-residential Easter Course held at Bristol Cathedral, the cost of which is subsidised by the choir.  Other RSCM-led training events are also supported.  The whole choir goes carol singing around Backwell on two evenings before Christmas, while as a treat after Christmas, juniors go to the Weston Playhouse to see a pantomime.  This is all free!  Other events are arranged from time to time.
Rectangular Callout: Away from St. Andrew’s, the choir goes to the annual Diocesan Choral Festival at Wells Cathedral on a Saturday in June or July.  About 350 people from church choirs across the Diocese attend this.  Juniors are also encouraged to attend the RSCM three-day non-residential Easter Course held at Bristol Cathedral, the cost of which is subsidised by the choir.  Other RSCM-led training events are also supported.  The whole choir goes carol singing around Backwell on two evenings before Christmas, while as a treat after Christmas, juniors go to the Weston Playhouse to see a pantomime.  This is all free!  Other events are arranged from time to time.
What else do we do?
Cloud Callout: What else do we do?
Not a penny! In fact, you get paid for singing. Junior choir members are paid for attendance at weddings, together with a token “bonus” three times per year.
Rectangular Callout: Not a penny! In fact, you get paid for singing. Junior choir members are paid for attendance at weddings, together with a token “bonus” three times per year.

New members (“probationers”) wear a blue cassock and a white ruff.  On reaching the first level, they receive their surplice and light blue ribbon. This is exchanged for a ribbon of a different colour as they move up the levels.
Rectangular Callout: New members (“probationers”) wear a blue cassock and a white ruff.  On reaching the first level, they receive their surplice and light blue ribbon. This is exchanged for a ribbon of a different colour as they move up the levels.
What do we wear?
Cloud Callout: What do we wear?

How do we move up the levels?
Cloud Callout: How do we move up the levels?

St. Andrew’s Choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (www.rscm.com) and follows its “Voice for Life” training scheme. The first three levels, light blue, dark blue and red involve completing a workbook and doing a variety of informal tests with the choirmaster over a period of weeks. The higher levels, Dean's Chorister, Bishop's Chorister and Gold Award are a bit more like traditional music exams and are examined by an external examiner.
Rectangular Callout: St. Andrew’s Choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (www.rscm.com) and follows its “Voice for Life” training scheme. The first three levels, light blue, dark blue and red involve completing a workbook and doing a variety of informal tests with the choirmaster over a period of weeks. The higher levels, Dean's Chorister, Bishop's Chorister and Gold Award are a bit more like traditional music exams and are examined by an external examiner.

 

 

What do I do next?
Cloud Callout: What do I do next?
Have a read of the recruitment leaflet  and contact Jerry King  462433
Rectangular Callout: Have a read of the recruitment leaflet  and contact Jerry King  462433