Music

The Choir

The purpose of the choir is "to lead, enrich and enhance the worship at Holy Cross through music", regularly at Sung Eucharist and Evensong and at additional services throughout the year.  The choir gives concerts, occasionally leads worship away from home, in venues such as Canterbury Cathedral and on alternate years has a residential week, singing From Christine Tate - medium size uploadservices in a cathedral.  Music covers a broad range, from 12th to 21st century, including works written by choir members.  The full choir numbers forty-four singers, ranging in age from seven years to seventy; many of our adults have been in the choir since joining when they were seven.  New members are always welcome and practices are on Fridays at 19.30.  Younger singers join as Junior Choristers.


To listen to some of our recordings from our CR 'Cantate Domino' click below:

View me Lord by Richard Lloyd
Remember not, Lord, our offences by Henry Purcell
Agnus Dei by William Byrd (from his Mass for five voices)
Haec Dies by William Byrd


All four pieces were recorded in Hereford Cathedral in August 2005 when the choir visited for a week.

 

Junior Choristers

Photo from Christine TateWe welcome young singers from the age of seven upwards.  Junior choristers sing, learn about music and their role in church worship.  They join the full choir as they become ready. The choir is affiliated to the RSCM, and choristers follow the RSCM training scheme. The younger members of the choir make an important contribution in special services and weddings.

 

 

Holy Cross Singers

This group consists of members of the congregation who lead singing at some of the less formal services or when the choir is away.  They also sing at the regular baptism service.

 

Easter Youth Pilgrimage band

Music at New Way Services

A variety of different musicians and bands lead a more informal contemporary style of worship at New Way services.  A group of young people from Holy Cross church were very pleased to have the opportunity to lead the worship at one of the annual Easter Youth Pilgrimages at Canterbury Cathedral. 


The Organ 

HolyCrossOrganIn 2012 the organ was in need of cleaning. The removal of pipework provided an opportunity to add two new stops; an oboe to the Swell and a 16 ft Open Diapason to the Pedal department. Because of lack of room in the organ case it was decided to make the latter electronic. This has produced a very fine instrument capable of accompanying a full congregation as well as dealing with both choral and organ repertoire. Organ History