Music at St. Mary’s
Music for Worship
Music plays a significant part in our church services and church life throughout the year.
We are blessed with a handsome and fully-functional church organ, beautifully played by an expert musician and retired teacher / Head of Music - Mr Philip Duffy. Philip plays 2 or 3 times each month - generally at the 1st, 4th and 5th Sunday morning services - and will also play for weddings and funerals if available. (Requests via the Rector please.)
At Christmas Philip assembles a ‘pop-up’ choir from the congregation which sings a number of special carols at the annual Christmas Eve Carol Service.
Contact Information:
Philip Duffy - 07816 567810, philipduffy66@gmail.com
St Mary’s also has a worship group to lead worship on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday morning services, typically focusing on more modern worship songs and hymns. The group comprises 4-5 singers and a number of talented musicians playing guitar, flutes, piano, violin and oboe.
If you are a musician or a singer and would like to join the worship group please speak to Liz Cole (Church Warden) 07974 911016, elizcolehome@gmail.com.
Five Valley Voices Choir
Five Valleys Voices is a fabulous, 50-strong mixed community choir drawing members from around the Stroud region. It isn’t directly linked to the church, but meets in St Mary’s every week for rehearsals and includes several congregation members among its ranks.
The church also provides the venue for Five Valleys Voices’ two main concerts in June and December each year.
For further details please contact Five Valleys Voices directly via their Facebook account or email Liz Cole (Church Warden) elizcolehome@gmail.com.
St Mary’s annual concert programme
St Mary’s is also a popular concert venue for several other local music groups:
St. Mary’s as a Venue for Special Events
With good acoustics, plenty of seating and modern kitchen/toilet facilities, St Mary’s may be the ideal affordable venue for your concert or other event.
The church building has a slightly raised open area at the front of the nave, a large screen which can be lowered into position when required and plenty of fixed seating (pews) in front of the raised area. There is also a large empty space at the back of the nave, near the two doors, which is more flexible. This can be used for additional seating or can accommodate up to 8 tables depending on the nature of the event.
Use of the kitchen and kitchen equipment can be arranged at extra cost.
As a concert/performance venue, the church can accommodate an audience of up to 250 people or a maximum of 60-70 for a sit down meal.
Please contact the church wardens with any enquires:
Liz Cole (Church Warden) 07974 911016, elizcolehome@gmail.com
Nick Ardagh-Walter 01453 790156, nickandamanda1558@gmail.com