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Music at St Jude’s |
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The Proms at St Jude's is just one of the many musical activities which take place in the church. Choir The Director of Music at St Jude's is Nic Chalmers. The Choir performs every Sunday morning at the 10.30 Eucharist service (except in August); as well as leading the congregation in congregational hymn singing, the Choir performs the morning's psalm (from the new St Paul's Psalter) and an anthem. The Choir also sings at other special services during the year, including, of course, the major festivals of Christmas and Easter. A Carol service is sung by the Choir, usually on the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas Day. Choir rehearsals are held every Sunday morning at 9.30 am. The Junior Choir sings with the main Choir and is an excellent opportunity for youngsters to learn the art of choral singing in a friendly and rewarding environment. Members of the Junior Choir are encouraged to participate in the RSCM award scheme. Informal social activities are arranged from time to time. New members are always welcome and interested SATB singers should contact: Nic Chalmers ((Tel: 07775 914 106) The Organ Built by Henry "Father" Willis (one of England’s most distinguished organ builders) the organ in St Jude’s was originally installed in St Jude’s Whitechapel in 1899. It was moved to St Jude’s in Hampstead Garden Suburb when the Whitechapel church was demolished. Originally installed at the west end of the church on a gallery, it was subsequently moved to its present position on the north and south sides of the choir. It underwent its a major restoration in 1935 by Hill Norman & Beard. A further comprehensive restoration and refurbishment was completed in October 2002. David Wells Organ Builders of Liverpool undertook the complete overhaul and refurbishment of the organ. The work included a new drawstop console to replace the previous "theatre organ" style console.
Recordings Well known as a highly sought after recording venue, St Jude's has played host to many of the world's most distinguished orchestras, including The Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir, the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, to name but a few. Smaller groups and, of course, soloists (Leslie Garrett recorded her 1998 Christmas broadcast at St Jude's) are also regular visitors to the church. All the major recording companies have used the near-perfect acoustics of the church to produce many highly acclaimed CDs, one of finest being the award winning Chandos recording of Britten's War Requiem. St Jude's may be hired and enquiries about the use of the church for recordings should be made to Chris Poncia (chrisponcia@talktalk.net). |
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Couplers
Swell to Choir, Swell to Great, Swell to Pedal, Swell Octave, Swell Sub-Octave, Swell Unison Off, Great to Pedal, Choir to Great, Choir to Pedal, tremulants on Swell and Choir
Notes to the Specification
The specification set out above is for the organ following completion of the refurbishment works in October 2002. The previous specification was similar, but those stops which have either been remodelled or added are indicated with an asterisk (*).
A note about David Wells Organ-builders of Liverpool. The firm has an enviable reputation as craftsmen and they have a particular record of restoring and maintaining Willis organs, including the mighty Willis organs in Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and St George's Hall, Liverpool. |