Music in Worship At St Peter’s

Anyone entering St Peter’s at 10 on a Sunday cannot miss the sounds of the Music Group: They’re having a final run through that week’s music and doing a sound check to make sure they neither deafen the congregation nor drown out fellow musicians. They add so much to the service, with a range that can handle modern worship music, classics with a country beat and old favourites as well as giving way gracefully to the beautiful organ for a real old-fashioned belter at the end.

There’s a small group of loyal musicians who’ve played for years… Catherine and Jack Hayes have played saxophone and guitar alongside each other for years now, and sons Rory and Felix have both played their part before leaving for University… but the band could not have survived without new people joining them over the years.

The band always needs additional members to bring whatever gifts they can, be that playing an instrument or singing. They meet each week in Church at 9.45-9.50am on a Sunday to do the sound check and run through the music for that week. This is to ensure all equipment is working well and the blend of musicians work with the music selected as their primary purpose is to enhance and lead sung worship effectively in the church. The band will also meet up occasionally in the evening to bring in new members or learn new music.

Mike Thwaite, the Musical Director and Lead Organist, chooses the music, linking with the theme or reading at the service. Sometimes the musicians available dictate the music chosen… Stephen McArdle, the trumpeter, has to be there if Days of Elijah or Thine Be The Glory is going to be done properly!… and sometimes the service format dictates the style.

Mike is an excellent organist, as willing and able to playing Widor’s Toccata for a wedding as My God is So Big for a Children’s service, but if you’re a pianist or organist and fancy volunteering, there’s always a space for a keen player.

We don’t have a full time choir at St Peter’s, but there is a Christmas Choir, open to all singers at any level, and sometimes an Easter choir. The choir also has a monthly meet up, for fellowship and socialising as well as singing along to popular music in a range of genres (if you can sing along to it, we’ll give it a go!) That’s open to anyone who has ever sung in the Christmas Choir, wants to sing in the Christmas Choir or just enjoys the physical benefits of singing in a group.

If you’re interested in volunteering with the music at St Peters, either approach Michael after the service or contact the parish admin on 0151 428 6810, email [email protected] and ask them to send your contact details on to Mike. There is no upper age limit, but under-18s should ask their parent, guardian or carer to make the first contact.

 

Featured image is by Ebuen Clemente Jr on Unsplash