The Parish Choir

Interested in being a Chorister at St Laurence's?

An opportunity for your child

music…education...and fun!

Who are we? What do we do?

The historic choral tradition of St Laurence’s was first recorded in 1492, making it one of the oldest choirs in England, a country famous throughout the world for its unique choral heritage.

At St Laurence’s we have very high musical standards. We are a choir of children and adults, and are the only professionally run church choir in South Shropshire, led by our Director of Music Shaun Ward. The full choir sings at the Sunday morning 9.30am Parish Communion, and the adults also sing choral evensong twice a month and choral matins twice a month. We have many major events throughout the year including a solemn choral requiem in November, Nine Lessons and Carols by candlelight in December, as well as other orchestral choral services at Easter.

We are now recruiting Boys and Girls 7–9 to join our successful choir. We also welcome enquires from experienced adult singers and offer choral scholarships to young sopranos, altos, tenors or basses.

What are the benefits of singing in the choir?

• Enjoyment of music and new friendships
• A free musical education (including vocal tuition and theory)
• A structured system of training (including RSCM singing exams)
• Important life skills (self-discipline, high standards, sense of achievement and learning, in a safe, adult and professional environment)
• Termly pocket money (currently £10 -£20)
• Extra money for weddings (£5 per wedding)
• Regular Cathedral visits/tours and concerts inc foreign tours
• Trips to ten-pin bowling, wildlife parks and other fun places
• Opportunities beyond our choir (optional residential courses)
• Opportunities to develop in the Christian faith - children from families with little or no religious inclination are also very welcome to join the choir.

What are the weekly commitments?

The church choir year is broadly similar to school terms, with one week holidays after Christmas, Easter and the last two weeks of July and all of August free.

Junior Choristers

Monday 5.30 - 6.30pm
Thursday 6.30 - 7.30pm
Sunday Services 9am Rehearsal 9.30am Parish Communion

(Choristers often share lifts, so the weekly commitment becomes easily manageable)

Adult Choristers

Thursday 7.00 - 8.30pm
Sunday Services 9.00am rehearsal 9.30 am service
Twice a month at 11.30am twice a month at 3.30pm with rehearsals 30mins prior to each service
There is also a voluntary Compline on a Friday at 5.30pm

New junior choristers (probationers) usually attend rehearsals at first and then Sunday mornings.

If you have questions?

Visit the church, email or phone the Director of Music Shaun Ward shaunw1978@hotmail.co.uk or 07977 536843 if you want to find out more.

This is a great opportunity for children,
learning to sing at a young age is a gift
they will treasure throughout their lives.

Shaun Ward MA BMus(hons) LTCL PGDip

Director of Music