The St Mary Redcliffe Choir upholds a long and distinguished tradition of Anglican Choral music. Currently there are 20 boys and 18 gentlemen who sing the three services on Sundays and Feast Days. The choir’s repertoire is broad and spans 500 years, from Tallis and Byrd through to Howells and Dove. In addition, the choir performs concerts both in Redcliffe and in other venues.

The Choir members are all amateurs. This gives their music making a distinctive quality whilst in no way reducing their commitment to high standards of excellence. The trebles (aged 9-14) come from as many as eight different schools across the Bristol area. Regular recruitment ensures that numbers remain healthy. This year two of our choristers reached the semi-final of the ‘BBC Choirboy of the Year’ competition’. The men in the choir include teenagers, students from the universities, graduates, those in full time work, and those who have recently retired.

Former Organists at the church have included Ralph Morgan, Garth Benson, Bryan Anderson, John Marsh, and Anthony Pinel. We are ably assisted by a team of assistant organists: Graham and Claire Alsop; David Bannister, our University Organ Scholar, and Simon Hogan, our Organ Student (6 th form) .

The choir has performed throughout the country; in 2004 at Salisbury Cathedral; 2005 York Minster. In 2006 the choir will sing at Lincoln Cathedral. Plans are currently being made for another overseas tour in 2007: the last overseas tour took place in 2001 to New York and Washington DC .

A Girls Choir (ages 10-18) was launched in September 2005. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 4.15pm . When fully established, the girls choir will sing an Evening Service on Thursdays at 5.30pm . Details of when this service starts will be announced shortly on the website.

The Choir has made several recordings, and will shortly be releasing its next CD (late 2005). You can find out more by clicking on RECORDINGS.

The Director of Music Mr Andrew Kirk is always looking for new recruits and he can be contacted at:
Telephone: 0117 972 8713
Email: awkirk_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Please read the Recruitment page by clicking the link