Choirs
St. Peter’s is very proud of its Parish Choir consisting of 14 singers drawn from many ‘walks of life.’ Besides serving the parish in an active liturgical music programme, the Choir sings guest Choral Evensongs at other parish churches, participates in the events of the Auckland Branch of the Royal School of Church Music and supports community and regional musical activities across Auckland. The Parish is a long time affiliate of the Royal School of Church Music.
Choral Eucharist is sung at 10.00am on all but the Third Sunday of each month. The Sung Eucharist Setting is by Australian church musician and composer Dr. Philip Matthias, the ‘Christchurch Mass.’ The Choir maintains the tradition of Psalm singing using texts from A New Zealand Prayer Book or the English Common Worship Psalter sung to a traditional Anglican chant setting. Responsorial Psalms are also currently in use. On the Third Sunday of each month, Choral Evensong to the Book of Common Prayer (1928) may be sung with an introit, chanted psalm, responses, choral canticles, and an anthem drawn from the European and Cathedral Choral tradition.
The repertoire of the choir is extensive with an emphasis on 16th Century Tudor music, Renaissance motets (sung in Latin), English Baroque music, English church music from the romantic tradition, and some contemporary North American choral music. The Choir Vestry houses an extensive choral library.
The Choir features prominently in choral services for Holy Week and the Service of Light for Advent Sunday. The traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas draws appreciative congregations for the choral music offered.
Recently, Dr Christopher Hainsworth (Beziers Cathedral) has been among guest musicians working in the parish.
Inquiries for recruitment are always welcome. We now have an age range starting from eleven years old to those of mature years. Adults, teenagers and children are always welcome to take part in the music at St. Peter’s.
Organ Student – Ben Nelson
Ben Nelson is the Organ Student to the Parish and started his time at St. Peter’s in March. At twelve years of age he is a budding organist and studies with Michael Cox. He is an active member of the Auckland Organists’ Association. Most recently Ben participated in an organ Masterclass with acclaimed English Church Musician, Malcolm Archer. Ben’s duties at St. Peter’s include playing organ music and assisting the Acting Director of Music. Ben is learning all he can in the art of church music.
For further information on the music, please contact the Acting Director of Music and Organist, Michael Cox – michael.acox@xtra.co.nz
http://www.organz.org.nz/auckland/performance-competition-2013
Combined Choirs of St. Peter's Takapuna and St. Mark's Remuera rehearse for a combined Choral Evensong at St. Mark's. April 2013
