Email from Emma to Choir :

Hi Everyone,

Thank you very much for some lovely singing today. Everyone seemed delighted with this afternoon's service and the military people have asked me to pass on their thanks to you and to say how much they enjoyed the choir's singing.

Just confirming arrangements for Holy Week. Apologies: the way things have worked out this year mean that the schedule is rather heavy. So can I thank you all in advance for your hard work and dedication to St George's.

MAUNDY THUR: 8pm service, 6.45pm rehearsal
(earlier than previously advertised - due to last Thursday's practice being cancelled: we need to get through stuff for Easter weekend)

GOOD FRI: 2nd half of Three Hours Service: 1.30-3pm (please arrive by 1.20pm to be ready to go in AT 1.30pm)
Compline, 8pm service, meet at 7.30pm for quick sing through

SAT: 8pm service, 6.45pm rehearsal

SUN: normal day (2 services) - 10.15am for 11am, 4.15pm for 5pm


Thursday 8th April - no choir practice
Sunday 11th April - no choir

Thursday 15th April - choir practices resume
Sunday 18th April - sung services resume: morning = men and boys, evening = men


Many thanks again,
Emma

Letter to choir from Emma Gibbins

Dear Choir,


Firstly, very many thanks to you all for your support of the various fund raising events for choir tour. I have been delighted by the response and by people’s generosity. So thank you once again for your help and support.

In preparation for tour, it would be good to have a few pre-tour rehearsals, as follows:

Thursday 13th August All boys 4-5.30pm

Friday 14th August All boys 4-5.30pm

Monday 17th August All boys 6.30-8.15pm
Men 7.30-9pm


If there are any major problems with these suggested rehearsals, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks.

Finally, I am planning an end of term party after the final Evensong of term, on the 28th June, and I hope you will all be able to stay for that. Parents/family welcome!

Many thanks and I hope you’re looking forward to the trip as much as I am,

Emma

From Dr Emma Gibbins

Hi Everyone,

Please find attached a revised date list for the rest of this year / start of next year.

Please note a number of changes at the start of next year:
- choir no longer required on Sunday 4th January

- Men's voices Eucharist for Epiphany Tuesday 6th January, 8pm - could you let me know whether you can do this please?

- Xmas dinner after practice on Thursday 8th January

Very many thanks in advance for all your hard work over the Christmas period. It's a busy time of year, but I hope you'll enjoy the Christmas services!
See you on Sunday,

Emma

Letter from Richard Campbell

20th December 2007

Dear Parent

Many thanks for your support during my first hectic couple of weeks as Acting Director of Music at St. George’s. I have found working with the choristers to be very rewarding and I feel they are achieving a good musical standard. Your support in getting them to church on time, every time, has helped enormously. Many thanks!

As you are aware, we had a parents meeting on Tuesday 11th December. My thanks to those who were able to make it and apologies, to those who couldn’t, for the short notice at what is a very busy time. The meeting was important, as there were several bits of housekeeping that had to be attended to. I enclose brief minutes of this meeting for your information. I also enclose a copy of the rehearsal supervision rota – thanks to Caroline Mitchell for organising this. I’m sure I don’t need to stress the importance of this rota and your attendance on the day you have been assigned to, as part of St. Georges’ commitment to the Safeguarding Trust guidelines. If you are unavailable for your allotted day, please organise a swap with someone.

I have today been asked by BBC Good Morning Ulster if the choir would be interested in featuring on the show on Christmas Eve. This will be recorded this Sunday (23rd) immediately after the Eucharist. We need to record 1 piece, which will only take 10 minutes. I hope that this does not cause any inconvenience as I appreciate Sunday will be the first of three busy days. I however think it is very exciting for the boys to be asked to take part in raising the profile of the choir in this way. I have selected five senior boys, at the BBC’s request, to be interviewed after the recording and I have already spoken to the parents involved to seek permission for this. The recording will be finished no later than 12.45 and the interviews no later than 1pm.

Please find attached a reminder of the remaining December schedule and also that for January 2008.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Yours sincerely,




Richard Campbell
Acting Director of Music
Mobile – 079 2083 2333
Home – 9070 2001
richardcampbell97@hotmail.com

A note from David Revels

Dear Musicians and Parents,

Welcome to a New Year which I hope will be a peaceful and happy one for you all.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank you all for you hard work and dedication over the Christmas period and I look forward to working with you in due course. Also, I wish to thank and acknowledge the contribution made by our youngest recruits, who made a huge impression during our Christmas Carol Service (some of whom are only six years old).

Our new Probationers are:
Joshua Booth
Jacob Somerville
Charlie West
Scott Joiner
Rory Gracie
Ewan Docherty
Owen Gilbody
Michael Hong
William Linley
Robert Kim
Stephen Lynas
Michael Shorten
Ben Corry

These boys are drawn from different schools in the Belfast area and one or two from further afield. In addition to working on musical matters the boys play football before and after Thursday night rehearsals, which last from 5.00pm – 6.15pm, and there is a schedule of fun activities planned throughout the year.

If your son would like to audition to be a member of St George’s Parish Choir then contact me on 028 90310667 or email me by CLICKING HERE .


At this time I also welcome our four newest choristers:

Michael Forrester
Matthew Hirst
Adrian McCullough
David Mitchell

Having spent a period as probationers they have graduated into the Parish Choir and are making a huge contribution in their new capacity – well done!

I am delighted to announce the new medal holders at St George’s Parish Choir. Medals are given as an acknowledgement of outstanding ability, commitment and endeavour:

Head Chorister : Matthew Jeffrey

Deputy Head Choristers : Tor Alexander & Edmund Bell

Leighton Scholars :
Callum Maxwell,
Matthew Thompson,
Alan Burns &
Archie Frew

Cairns Medal : Rowan Brown

Congratulations to Rowan Brown on passing his transfer test with flying colours!

From the schedule you will see that we have been asked to support St Peter’s Cathedral in their quest to rejuvenate music in their liturgy. There will be a guest choir singing Mass in St Peter’s one Saturday in each month throughout 2007, and we have been invited to sing on Saturday 10th February at Evening Mass. Please inform me immediately if there is a problem with this date as details have already been submitted in promotional material.

It is my understanding that half term occurs from 16th – 20th February inclusive and so I have tried to schedule the boys’ commitments around this period. As you will see from the schedule and music list, the boys will not be required to sing during this period but will have greater responsibility on 25th February, whereupon they will be joined by the probationers, not least for moral support!

Thank you once again on your continued support and congratulations on all your hard work.

David Revels

Oxford 2006

From David Revels :

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the choir and organist for a most memorable, musical experience on tour in Oxford. Having spent six and a half years of my life in Christ Church both as an Academical Clerk and Lay Clerk, I was very proud to return to Oxford, albeit in a different role as Director of Music, knowing that I have in St George’s a team of very talented and dedicated organists and singers. I am delighted to report that there have been many favourable comments made about our music-making over the weekend and I look forward to continuing and improving upon this high standard.

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Edward McMullen. Edward has spent eight years of his life in St George’s both as chorister and gentleman of the choir; latterly having been awarded the organ scholarship. His musicianship, enthusiasm, commitment and service is a shining example to all in the choir and for those who wish to join. It has been a great privilege working with Edward; as his Musical Director and vocal tutor I am delighted with his recent appointment to the position of choral scholar at Truro Cathedral, where he will spend his ‘year out’ before going to university to read Music. Edward follows in the footsteps of a long and impressive line of musicians at St George's, many of whom have gone on to be organ and choral scholars in Cathedral and Collegiate institutions the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

Our loss will most definitely be Truro Cathedral’s gain.

We welcome some new probationers into the choir: David Mitchell, Michael Forrester, Adrian McCullough and Matthew Hirst. I am thrilled that they have accepted to participate in the experience at St George’s and look forward to the challenge of performing Church music to the very highest standards.

Mark McGuire has started an online album which you can all see by clicking the picture above. If anyone has any photos that they would like to add to the album feel free to e-mail them to Mark on the link below or perhaps arrange a disk to be sent if more convenient. We will then share them with everyone else.

Perhaps someone who is good at creative writing would like to provide an account of the trip? If so again please e-mail Mark your account and Hhe will post it up.

David Revels

To e-mail the St George's website, click here

Easter Services 2006 - An update

Hi all - Just a quick update for you all as per the letter I sent out to all men and parents.

Easter Services 2006

Everything is as you are already aware about except for these minor changes:

Palm Sunday – (9th April) - the rehearsal is as usual but the service starts at 10:50 am with a procession singing ‘All Glory Laud and Honour’ and features the congregation joining the procession.

Maunday Thursday (13th April) 7pm full rehearsal and 8pm service (full choir)

Good Friday – ( 14th April) 3 hour vigil
As in previous years the boys will be in attendance for the first 1.5 hours (1200 – 1330) and the men from 1330 – 1500.

Easter Eve (Sat 15th April) is full choir as usual. There will be a confirmation in this service, 4 hymns and a sung exsultet. Rehearsal will be at 7pm as detailed on web to allow for additional work for Easter Day services.

Easter Day as usual Full Eucharist and Full Evensong

No rehearsals during Easter Week (17th – 23rd April)

23rd April Eucharist sung by a visiting choir not Parish Choir
No evensong

Rehearsals resume on Thursday 27th April full at normal times

Friday 28th April rehearsal for boys as usual 4.15pm – 5.45pm

14th May is the Maritime Service 3pm - Chamber Choir

4th June Whitsunday
Visitors expected – jolly setting of canticles and 4 hymns

There will be changes to some rehearsals in June

Full choir rehearsal Wednesday 31st May (6.30pm – 8.15pm Boys & 7.30pm – 9.00pm Men) NO REHEARSAL THURSDAY 1st JUNE

Normal rehearsal Thursday 8th June

No Boys’ Rehearsal Friday 9th, 16th & 23rd June

Rehearsal for boys Monday 5th, 12 & 19th June 4.15pm – 5.45pm

Full Choir Rehearsal Tuesday 13th & 20th June 6.30pm – 8.15pm boys & 7.30pm – 9.00pm men

A Note from David Revels

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Congratulations on a superb Advent Carol Service, Christmas Concert in Downpatrick, BBC Radio and TV Broadcasts, Carol concert and Christmas Carol Service! I am immensely proud of everyone and there have been many favourable reports from those who have attended the services throughout the term and at our other engagements.

Thank you for all the support you have shown over the past few months. It has been a very busy period for the choir and I am grateful for your patience particularly when considering the late plans by the BBC.

I am delighted that by now all of you have navigated your way to this choir website http://www.stgeorgeschoir.blogspot.com/ ; it is here to act as a port of reference for all members of the choir and parents as letters can and do get mislaid. Please bookmark this site and visit regularly or better still, put your e-mail address in the red box to your right and send it. That way you will receive an e-mail every time this site changes or new information becomes available.

It is my intention that parents should receive a "hard" copy of the choir diary and then refer to the website for updates. Over the next few days the music list will appear here also.

January 2006

1st January 2006
Eucharist - Boys only
No Evensong

No midweek rehearsals for the choir

6th January
Feast of the Epiphany Men only
Rehearsal 7pm
Service 8pm

8th January
Eucharist - Men only No Boys This Sunday
Evensong- Chamber Choir

11th January
Meeting for Choir Parents 7pm All parents are invited and expected to attend

12th January Usual rehearsals resume

15th January
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evenosong Parish Men

22nd January
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Boys No men

29th January
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Compline No boys for this service

February 2006

2nd February
Feast of Candlemas Parish Choir
Eucharist
Rehearsal 7pm
Service 8pm

5th February
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Choir

12th February
Eucharist Morning off for the parish choir - Melisma singing this service
Evensong Chamber Choir

19th February
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Men

24th February
Rehearsal as usual
Taken by Barry Rose

25th February
Workshop with Barry Rose
Organised through USOC

26th February
Eucharist Barry Rose Parish Boys No Men
Evensong Parish Boys No Men

March 2006

1st March
Ash Wednesday
Eucharist Parish Men No Boys

5th March
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Choir

12th March
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Chamber Choir

19th March
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Men

26th March
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Boys

April 2006

2nd April
Eucharist Parish Men Men only
Evensong Parish Choir Full

9th April
Palm Sunday
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Chamber Choir

13th April
Maundy Thursday Parish Choir

14th April
Good Friday Parish (Choir split for 3 hour service)

15th April
Easter Eve
Eucharist
Rehearsal 7pm
Service 8pm

16th April
Easter Day
Eucharist Parish
Evensong Parish

No rehearsals this week

23rd April
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Choir

30th April
Eucharist ?
Evensong ?

May 2006

7th May
Eucharist Parish
Evensong Parish

14th May
Eucharist Parish
Evensong Chamber Choir

21st May
Eucharist Parish
Evensong Parish Men

25th May
Ascension Day Parish Choir
Eucharist
Rehearsal 7pm
Service 8pm

28th May
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Boys

June 2006

4th June
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Choir

11th June
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evenosng Chamber Choir

18th June
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish Men

25th June
Eucharist Parish Choir
Evensong Parish & Chamber Choir

July 2006

26th July
3pm Rehearsal (Boys only)
5pm Food
6pm Football
7pm Full rehearsal (Boys leave at 8pm Gents continue until 8.30pm)

Choir trip to Oxford Friday 28th July - Tuesday 2nd August (inclusive)

Friday 28th
Depart St George's
Arrive Oxford for evening meal

Saturday 29th
2-4 rehearsal in Christ Church
6pm Attend Evensong
7.30pm Evening meal
9.30pm Bed

Sunday 30th July
10am Matins
11.15am Eucharist
1pm Lunch
5pm Rehearsal
6pm Service
7.30pm Dinner

Monday 31st July
Rehearsal for Evensong

Tuesday 1st August
Depart Oxford

Extra services and notices for Nov / Dec 2005

Sat 3rd December
Concert in Downpatrick Arts Centre. Please spread the word! and see earlier post HERE - The Day will involve a coach trip to Downpatrick.

A 33 seater coach has been booked to transport the choir and those parents who have volunteered to manage the choristers (and gentlemen of the choir!). The coach will depart St George's at 2.15pm sharp. There will be a rehearsal from 4.00pm to 5.30pm followed by something to eat. There will then be a 'warm up' for all the singers at 7.00pm to focus on the concert which begins at 7.30pm. The coach will then depart Downpatrick at 10.00pm to return to St George's by 11.00pm. Please inform the Director of Music if any chorister wishes to travel home from the event with their respective parents so as to ensure that noone is left behind!

Friday 16th December
The choir has been asked to sing on Radio Ulster at the BBC Christmas party. The requirement for St George's is 15 mins of music and I have arranged for our contribution to feature in the first half of the concert so as to afford the boys an early night in the wake of their big fundraising concert the next day.


Sat 17th December

Xmas Concert in St George's. Rehearsal will begin at 5.45pm with the concert commencing at 7.30pm. Please spread the word about this concert. It will be the first which St George's has given in a long time and the proceeds will be going towards their Choir Trip to Oxford. I have secured the involvement of the actress Laura Hughes who will reading at this event. She is very much in demand and has been involved in the stage version of Adrian Mole which has received very favourable reviews. It is important that this event receives the full support of friends, family and parishioners and there will be something for everyone both musically and literally!

Sun 18th December
Christmas Carol Service 5pm Rehearsal 1530

Sat 24th December -
Christmas Eve Midnight Service - Rehearsal 2200 - Service 2300

Sun 25th December - Usual time (No evensong)

A New Term at St George's - Sept 05

Welcome to the website of the choirs of St George's High Street, Belfast - This is intended as a web "blog" designed to assist with general communication for our choir. It is a place for all choir members both young and old, past choir members, parents of members, and anyone else who is interested to check in on what's happening in St George's choir and share photos, recordings of the choir and become generally a meeting place for us all.

On the right there is a link to schedules so that we all know where we should be and when, together with music lists, outings, and other such things - basically if in doubt check this site!!!

I must emphasis though that for this to become a really interesting place to be, we need feedback from everyone. What are the great untapped ideas in our choir? What would you like to see our choir achieve??
If you have any ideas or any contibutions to make to this site, please please e-mail me. Photographs, achievements, news of past members, anything at all - it would be great to hear from you. My e-mail address is mark.mcguire@btinternet.com. Also, at any stage you can post a comment on anything you see here by clicking "Comment" at the end of each post.

Hope you like the website and there are links on the right hand side of the page to other items of interest