St Mary's Music News April 2024 

Life as a Choral Scholar

There is never a dull moment in the music-making of St Mary's Choir. Even once the busy Christmas and Epiphany period is over, there’s Easter to be working towards (which proves to be a wholly different level of dedication to music learning and note bashing). On Good Friday, there will be the usual Devotional Offering, which this year has Faure’s beautiful Requiem as the main item.

Choral Evensongs are always an opportunity for some wonderful pieces of sacred music to be aired. February’s service was no exception, with the singing of Herbert Sumsion’s ‘They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships’ being the choir’s offering for the anthem. There is always some incredible organ voluntary or choral anthem which proves to be the highlight of the month!

At the time of writing, the Coffee Concerts at St Mary's are in full flow. These are occasions when Saffron Walden music lovers can find some brightness in the often damp and overcast Spring mornings. A recent offering from SWCHS Music Academy provided not just an excellent opportunity for the community to witness the incredible skills of some Music A Level students, but also gave the young musicians an opportunity to prepare for their official recitals in the coming month.

Being a Choral Scholar is both a rewarding and deeply enjoyable activity to partake in. The skills attained in music knowledge, reading, building up a repertoire and simply interacting with many other experienced musicians serve as invaluable building blocks for any music related careers/hobbies that may wish to be pursued in later years. Almost all of the current scholars have progressed from being in the Junior Choir, and it certainly feels odd swapping the familiar red robe and surplice for the blue robe and (eventually) the purple scholar ribbon. Being a scholar who has transitioned through all 4 SATB parts in the last 3 years, I can vouch that getting to sing alongside a mix of other new singers to the part and experienced performers allowed me to quickly and efficiently learn the new clefs associated with each voice part.

I’ve also had to learn the art of being the crucifer in the 1st and 3rd Sunday services of the month (as well as Evensongs). Although a fairly straightforward role, it feels a massive responsibility setting the pace for the choir, and especially remembering when to retrieve the cross at the end of the service! It has recently become a requirement that all scholars carry the cross for a service at least once a month, and despite the hardships, it should be very worthwhile for developing a deeper sense of internalising the music and the speed, as well as a good upper body workout.

The Annual General Meeting of the SMMA will be held in the Parish Rooms on Sunday 21st April after the 10:30 service. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

Eden Faith 
Choral Scholar