ST JOHN'S CHURCH AINSDALE ST JOHN'S CHURCH AINSDALE
Our Choir sings at the 9:30am and 6:30pm services in Church practically every Sunday. On the 2nd Sunday of the month we attend the Church Parade Service at 11:00am and the Baptism service at 3:00pm.
The Choir also sings at most of the weddings at church throughout the year. The Choir is paid for singing at a wedding, and the money is saved up for a meal out at some point.
We have a Choir Practice every Wednesday at 7:30pm in the Church or Choir Vestry, and on occasions at Choir member’s homes if the church is in use. This usually lasts for about an hour, but occasionally longer at special times of the year.
Socially, we try to have a meal out once a year, normally in the New Year, for all members. Other occasions throughout the year will crop up, such as carols evenings and the like but any ideas are always welcome!
Currently we have 13 choir members, covering the 4 parts required for choral singing; Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Bass.
We are always looking to recruit new members though!! Please see the advert…
Please feel free to approach us after a service if you have and questions!
By the end of 2009 we had 15 members including Martyn as Organist and Choirmaster! This had reduced overall to 13 at the end of 2010 following Nancy Pym’s resignation in March, and Martyn Mellodew leaving St. John’s in July.
The average attendance for the year was 9, compared to 8 in 2009.
Facts and figures wise the Choir attended:
111 Church services in 2010, including:
9 Baptism services, 9 Parade services and all the usual “special” services on
Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, plus the Crib and midnight communion services on Christmas Eve.
On top of these we attended:
5 Weddings, and 2 Funerals, (I could compare this to the film, but I won’t!);
the Act of Remembrance on the village green, and finally
we had 49 Choir Practices!
The Choir helped at the Church’s “Love your Church Sunday” event and enjoyed a meal out at The Natterjack Toby Carvery as a farewell and thank you to Martyn before he left in July.
Congratulations to Paul on his appointment by the Church as our Organist & Choirmaster! As he continues his training and learning he can be assured of our full support and commitment. We look forward to the “Voice for Life” training for some Choir members which will be ongoing during 2011.
With Paul’s new role means we are technically down one singer! To balance things out I am now learning the Bass part where possible, but an appeal has gone out for more singers of the Bass and Tenor parts, along with more Alto singers to help the balance of the Choir overall.
Thanks to everyone for their faithful support and dedication during the past year!
Let’s hope and pray that some new people are guided to come and join us in 2011 and that God will provide, support and sustain us all in the year ahead!
God bless, Chris York, (Choir member).
Paul Ellis, has been in our Choir since March 1995,
He is also our current Organist and Choirmaster since January this year.
Sings “Bass” part.
Ian Knifton, our longest Serving Choir member,
man and boy since late 1960’s!
Sings “Bass” part.
Chris York has been in the Choir since December 1982!
Although has had spells out of the Choir when being Church Warden on 2 occasions!
Sings “Tenor” part.
Audrey Boocock has been in the Choir since August 1993.
Sings “Soprano” part.
David Corey has been in the Choir since November 2000.
Sings “Tenor” part.
Maggie Hilton has been in the Choir since August 2004.
Sings “Alto” part.
Sheila Chadwick has been in the Choir since March 2009.
Sings “Soprano” part.
Jannice Crawford has been in the Choir since October 2009.
Sings “Alto” part.
Nina Haddock has been in the Choir since November 2009.
Sings “Soprano” part.
Diane Fitzgerald has been in the Choir since November 2009.
Sings “Soprano” part.
There are 3 other Choir members not listed here as they have escaped getting their photographs taken!!
They are:
Ray Dutton, who has been a member of the Choir since 1980 (ish!) and sings “Tenor” part.
Val York, who has been a member of the Choir since May 1993 and sings “Soprano” part.
Hilary Ellis, who has been a member of the Choir since July 2003 and sings “Soprano” part.