Music at St Mary Redcliffe
A long and distinguished musical tradition
A message and introduction from our new Director of Music, Joe Cryan:
"When I started at St Mary Redcliffe in a few weeks ago, I came with one slightly large and daunting question;
What does Bristol sound like?
This a question at the heart of my new musical mission at St Mary Redcliffe Church. Our historic church boasts a long and distinguished musical tradition that transcends time. My aim is, while maintaining this rich English choral heritage, to question how we can make it reflect the Bristol we are today. With a choir of children and adults, we sing three services every Sunday: Mattins, Eucharist and Evensong. We are ensuring our music list reflects the diverse city that we are at the centre of, allowing anyone, regardless of age, experience, creed or background to enjoy the beauty of music.
I am just at the beginning of my journey here at St. Mary Redcliffe, and I thank all of my predecessors for their knowledge and expertise; I have very large boots to fill. Thanks to their hard work, SMR are ready to weave together the musical output with our mission as a thriving and inclusive Christian community that makes a difference in the parish and beyond. Join me on this journey as we 'sing the song of faith and justice' together through the power of music making."
September 2023
Find out about
St Mary Redcliffe Choir
A large and diverse choir with a wide repertoire that welcomes new members.
Find out about
The Harrison & Harrison Organ
"The finest Romantic organ ever constructed."
Music news
The Choir
At St Mary Redcliffe we have a large and diverse choir, consisting of boys, girls, adults volunteers and choral scholars. Everyone comes together every Sunday to sing a rich and diverse musical repertoire including works by the greats of English choral tradition such as Wesley, Dyson and Byrd, along with contemporary composers such as Kerry Andrew, Moses Hogan and Sarah MacDonald.
Before practices, especially in the summer months, choristers play games outside on the North churchyard grassed area. Social events for the choir have previously included pizza evenings, ten pin bowling and weekends away!
The best people to ask about the choir are the choristers themselves:
"When I joined, I experienced so man fun (and funny) moments that now I never want to leave!"
"I have made many great friends at this choir, and I will never forget singing in this magnificent church"
"Choir is amazing because you can join without any musical experience and then gain some, it's really great fun!"
We are always looking for new people to join our choirs. You can find information on joining our choirs here.
For more information about the choir, or organise a conversation about joining the choir, drop Joe Cryan, the Director of Music, an email to joe.cryan@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk.
The Harrison & Harrison Organ
"the finest high-Romatic organ ever constructed"
St Mary Redcliffe is proud to be home to its organ, which sits at the heart of musical life in the church.
The church’s original organ was installed on a screen at the west end of the church in 1726 by John Harris and John Byfield, and its quality was compared favourably at the time to St Paul’s Cathedral organ. Throughout the following almost three centuries, the organ underwent two major rebuilds. The first was completed in 1829 by local organ builder John Smith, and the organ was reopened to a landmark recital by the Bristol-born Samuel Wesley, assisted by his son. The second rebuild began not long after, in 1866, and was entrusted to H.G. Vowles of Bristol. The organ was removed from its position in the west gallery, expanded, and moved to a position similar to today – split antiphonally across the chancel. Considered a resounding success, the 35-stop organ reopened in 1867 to a recital by John Stainer.
The organ in its modern form was built in 1912 by Harrison and Harrison, incorporating the best of the surviving pipework from the original Harris & Byfield organ and both rebuilds. With four manuals, electro-pneumatic action, and almost double the number of stops, the refurbished organ was and remains one of the largest parish church organs in Britain. To accommodate an expanding swell organ, additional space had to be made in a new stone chamber in the angle of the north transept and north ambulatory. The movement of the swell organ further away from the choir stalls necessitated the movement of some accompanimental stops to the echo organ, which stands on the south side of the chancel. Conversely, the swell contains many orchestral strings and reeds more often seen on the solo organ, since the swell’s position projects sound further into the nave.
In 1932, the organ was once again refurbished, moving the console to its current position – detached from the organ and north of the chancel. Additional improvements were made to the electrics, introducing adjustable pistons. The organ survived wartime air raids, only for the swell organ to be ravaged by arson in 1942. It took five years until the swell was finally replaced and expanded, including additions to the pedal organ. The organ was cleaned and improved in both 1974 and 1990, but required a more comprehensive restoration in 2010. Resolving growing problems of air supply and regulation, four new blowers were added and the manual soundboards were renewed, allowing the organ to sing the song of faith and justice for another generation.
Today, the organ contains a total of 71 speaking stops and 4327 pipes, including a comprehensive array of tones and sound qualities. Its completeness and tonal depth give it a reputation as one of the finest high-Romantic organs in the country.
You can hear the organ during Sunday services and at our Thursday lunchtime recital series.
