Music at St Giles'

Music at St Giles’ for the Sunday Eucharist at 10am in February

 

 

2nd February 2 Candlemas

10 a.m. PARISH EUCHARIST  

Common Worship

Service by Ayres

PSALM 24. 7-10 with chant 148

CHOIR GRADUAL Eccard When to the temple Mary went Simeon … took up Jesus … and blessing God he said ‘In peace I now depart’

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and obey it.

CHOIR COMMUNION Tallis O nata lux et lumine O Light born of Light, Jesus …grant us to be made members of your blessed body.

ORGAN PRELUDE  J.S.Bach  Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin BWV 616

ORGAN POSTLUDE  Lemmens  Fanfare

HYMNS 557 Gerontius; 516 Abbots Leigh (418); 80 Lourdes

 

9th February Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

10 a.m. PARISH EUCHARIST                         

Common Worship            

Service by Ayres

CHOIR GRADUAL Vaughan Williams The Call   Such a Love, as none can part, Such a Heart, as joys in love

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky,[b] and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

CHOIR COMMUNION Byrd Ave verum corpus Hail the real body, born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for man.

ORGAN PRELUDE J.S.Bach Allein Gott in der Hӧh sei Ehr BWV 717

ORGAN POSTLUDE J.S.Bach  Prelude in C BWV 545

HYMNS 233 St Andrew; 492 Wareham; 411 Repton; 152 Christchurch

 

16th February  Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

10 a.m. PARISH EUCHARIST                         

Common Worship, Service by Ayres

CHOIR GRADUAL SS Wesley Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which … hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

PSALM 1 with chant 93

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love

CHOIR COMMUNION Walford Davies Blessed are the pure in heart For they shall see our God

ORGAN PRELUDE Karg-Elert  Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele

ORGAN POSTLUDE Albinoni (arr. Walther)  Allegro from Concerto no.1 in F

HYMNS 368 Michael; 279 Unde et memores (559); 618 Engelberg

 

22nd February Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

10 a.m. PARISH EUCHARIST                         

Common Worship

Service by Ayres

PSALM 65 with chant 121

CHOIR GRADUAL Britten Jubilate in C O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands, serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The word of the Lord endures for ever. The word of the Lord is the good news announced to you

CHOIR COMMUNION Rutter Gaelic Blessing  Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world, to you, Deep peace of Christ to you.

ORGAN PRELUDE  Krebs  Jesu, meines Lebens Leben

ORGAN POSTLUDE Mathias Fanfare (played by Chup Hei)

HYMNS 377 Angel Voices (played by Chup Hei); 413 Melita; 267 Moscow

With a professional quartet of singers at services, regular concerts in the Church, three outstanding pipe organs, a Steinway B grand piano and its use for recording sessions and broadcasts, music is a major part of the life of the Church. Since 1992 this church has been the headquarters of a major movement to recruit and train organists; lessons and classes in organ playing for all ages continue here throughout the year.

The Director of Music

Anne Marsden Thomas

(Director of Music)

Anne has been Director of Music at St Giles' since 1980. She founded St. Giles International Organ School in 1992 and directed it until January 2012 when it became part of the education programme of RCO Academy. For many years she also directed the annual RCO Academy Summer Course for Organists in the City of London which regularly attracted 60-75 students from around the world. She is widely known for her work as organ teacher, concert organist and church musician. Her concert and teaching work has taken her to the USA, Japan, Europe and all over the UK, and she has made several commercial recordings. She has written and edited many books for organists, published by Oxford University Press, Cramer Music and the Royal School of Church Music. She has wide experience of examining grade examinations and diplomas. As well as teaching students of all standards, Anne enjoys training organ teachers.

Elizabeth Day (Organist)  

Elizabeth was educated in Scotland and attended Dundee University where she read mathematics as well holding the post of Assistant Organist of Dundee Cathedral. After graduating she trained as a primary school teacher and has taught in schools in Dundee, Edinburgh and Switzerland.

Whilst working in Edinburgh, she started taking organ lessons with Anne Marsden Thomas.  She has given many solo recitals including at Oxford Town Hall, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, and Lichfield Cathedral as well as at several churches in London. 

She lives in South London with her husband and daughter.

Organ Scholarships at St Giles’ Cripplegate

7 school-age organ students of Anne Marsden Thomas join our new Associate Organ Scholar scheme in February 2025, receiving training in liturgical music and contributing to the Sunday morning service on a rota basis.

The Choir

The professional vocal quartet sings two anthems and leads the congregational singing at the Sunday morning service. The choir is also available for special services (weddings, funerals, memorials, livery and carol services).

Penny Sharpe (soprano)

Penny was born in Tasmania where she trained at the Conservatorium. After singing in the Lyric Opera Company, Brisbane, she joined the Song Company (an a capella ensemble specialising in early and contemporary music) in Sydney. With the Song Company she was involved in festivals, concerts, recordings, children's concerts and live broadcasts on national radio, plus tours of South Korea and New Zealand and throughout Australia. Currently she earns a regular salary working in market research, primarily in wine and spirits, while taking professional singing engagements on a part-time basis. Her clear, warm voice is supported by a flawless technique and perfect intonation

Amanda Dean (alto)

Amanda began singing in choirs as a child, conducted by Ronald Corp and Ralph Allwood.  She read Music at Cambridge University where she was a choral scholar at Trinity College. 

Since then she has sung mostly contemporary classical music. Stage projects include roles in Stockhausen’s Mittwoch as part of 2012’s Cultural Olympiad (with helicopters and a camel) and Birtwistle’s The Minotaur for the Royal Opera House (drenched in stage blood). Amanda continues to enjoy ensemble and choral singing. She has sung on many film soundtracks with London Voices, including several of the Star Wars and Harry Potter films.

Amanda also has a qualification in tax, and about half her working time is spent writing about tax, and preparing tax returns for clients working in the arts. She is happy with either a music score or the latest tax legislation. She also composes when she has time (so not very much) and runs a girls’ choir at a local school.

Amanda is an impeccable sight-reader and instantly adapts her vocal quality to whatever repertoire she is singing, whether it is Palestrina, McDowall, or anything in between.

Robin Whitehouse (tenor)

Robin studied voice and horn for a year at the Royal College of Music before reading maths at Oxford University. Whilst at Oxford he sang and played with all the major university choirs and orchestras, and continued to sing with the choir of St Mary the Virgin (the University church) until taking up his post at St Giles.

Operatic roles have included Alfredo (La Traviata), Abinadab (world premiere of Sam Hogarth’s David and Goliath with New Chamber Opera and most recently Prince Ramiro (La Cenerentola).

Solo engagements have included Evangelist in Bach’s Passions, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Britten’s Serenade, Nocturne and St Nicolas, as well as Strauss’s 2nd Horn Concerto and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.1. He was recently invited to take part in a public masterclass on Mahler songs with the Oxford University Orchestra, taken by Ian Bostridge. He currently studies with Ann de Renais. Robin has an extraordinary dynamic range throughout his wide vocal compass. 

Louis Hurst (bass baritione)

Louis was the Winner of the Audience Prize at the Fulham Opera Robert Presley Memorial Verdi Prize 2019 and a Finalist for the Wagner Society of England's Singing Competition. Selected to participate in ENO’s Opera Works Programme and with British Youth Opera.

Mancunian-born Louis gained his MMus with Distinction from the RNCM. His studies were made possible by the generous support of Michael Oglesby, the Drapers Guild, and the Musician's Benevolent Fund. 

Louis joined St Giles’ choir in 2022, a year in which his roles included Don Pasquale for Hurn Court Opera, Escamillo Carmen for Regents Opera and Sciarrone Tosca for Diva Opera. Louis has worked with many prominent companies including English National Opera, Britten Sinfonia, Zurcher Sing Akadamie, and the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The Organs

There are three organs at St Giles'.  The grand organ and the chancel organ are in the body of the church; the practice organ is in the vestry. 

The Grand Organ 

The Grand Organ, mounted on a gallery, has three manuals, a radiating/concave pedalboard, mechanical action, 39 speaking stops, balanced Swell pedal and a full range of modern accessories including a sequencer. This organ is ideal for solo work, and for accompanying musicians in the west gallery. Organ history: Jordan & Bridge 1733, Willis 1872, Jones 1902, Mander 1970. It was cleaned and restored in Autumn 2008.

 

Specification:

.

GREAT
Double Open Diapason 16
Open Diapason 8
Stopt. Diapason 8
Principal 4
Flute 4
Twelfth 2 2/3
Fifteenth 2
Larigot 1 1/3
Mixture lll
Fourniture lV-Vl
Mounted Cornet V
Trumpet 8
Clarion 4
Great Reeds on Choir
Swell to Great 

 

SWELL (enclosed)
Open Diapason
Stopt. Diapason 8'
Viola 8
Principal 4
Fifteenth 2
Mixture lll
Contra hautboy 16
Cornopean 8
Clariaon 4
Tremulant

 

PEDAL
Open Diapason 16
Bourdon 16
Octave 8
Flute 8
Gemshorn 4
Mixture lll
Trombone 16
Trumpet 8
Swell to Pedal
Choir to Pedal

 

CHOIR (unenclosed)
Stopt. Diapason 8
Dulciana 8
Principal 4
Nason Flute 4
Nazard 2 2/3
Spitz Flute 2
Tierce 1 3/5
Mounted Cornet V (from Great)
Cymbel lll
Cremona 8
Tremulant
Swell to Choir

 

COMPASS
Key compass C to a3 (58 notes)
Pedal compass C to f1 (30 notes) Radiating Concave

 

ACCESSORIES
8 general pistons, arranged above the Swell manual, with 16 memories
5 department pistons to Swell, Great, Choir.
5 combination pedals to Pedal department (right of centre)
5 combination pedals to Swell department (left of centre)
All couplers available as reversible pistons
Swell to Great, Great to Pedal also available as reversible coupler pedals
Rocker switch for Great and Pedal Combinations Coupler,
Rocker switch for Generals on Swell Combination Pedals
Independent sequencer, with three 'Next' pistons, one 'Next' pedal, and one 'Back' piston General cancel piston
Fully adjustable bench
Independent lights for manuals and pedals.

 

Mechanical action to manuals and pedals, with electrical stop action and electrical assistance on Swell to Great.

The Chancel Organ 

The chancel organ was installed 2008, has two manuals, a straight/concave pedalboard, mechanical action, 15 speaking stops, a balanced Swell pedal and a full range of modern accessories including generals and a stepper. This organ is ideal for accompanying musicians on the large chancel, to which it is adjacent.  There are unique carvings on the woodwork

 

Specification:

 

GREAT
Open Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Principal 4
Fifteenth 2
Mixture IV 11/3
Trumpet 8
Swell to Great

 

SWELL
Gedackt 8
Principal 4
Chimney flute 4
Recorder 2
Sesquialtera II 22/3
Oboe 8
Tremulant

 

PEDAL
Bourdon 16
Principal 8
Trumpet 8

Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

 

COMPASS
Key compass C to a3 (58 notes)
Pedal compass C to f1 (30 notes) Straight Concave

 

ACCESSORIES
6 divisional pistons/toe pedals and 8 general pistons served by 66 memories
Stepper
Gt and Ped combinations coupler
Generals on Swell toe pistons
Adjustable toe pedal to give Swell to Pedal/Stepper Advance/Stepper Reverse
Fully adjustable bench

 

DISABLED-FRIENDLY FEATURES
Adjustable music stand
Talking stops device
Rings on the stop shanks to aid identification of tonal families

 

Mechanical action to all departments

The Practice Organ

Organ by Kenneth Tickell 2008 situated in the church office. For the exclusive use of students of Royal College of Organists Acredited Teachers. Please email AMT@organschool.com for details of how to book and pay for practice on this organ.

 

Specification:

 

MANUAL I (LOWER)
Stopt. Diapason 8
Principal 4

 

MANUAL II (UPPER)
Chimeny Flute 8
Spitz Flute 4

 

PEDAL
Open Flute 8

 

TOE PEDALS
Tremulant
Manual 1 to Pedals.

 

Direct suspended action to the upper manual.
Balanced action to the lower manual.

 

COMPASS
Key compass C to a3 (58 notes)
Pedal compass C to f1 (30 notes) Straight Concave

 

DISABLED-FRIENDLY FEATURES
A single ridge on the stop shank to identify the Principal stop by touch.
An adjustable bench with an exceptionally wide range of positions.

The Steinway B Grand Piano

We have a beautiful and well-maintained Steinway B Grand Piano.  If you would like to use this piano please contact, Jake Kirner the 

 Bookings and Events Co-ordinator, Buildings Supervisor 

Phone 07766 202731 or 

                                            jake@stgileschurch.com 

The Bells

There is a ring of twelve bells hung for change ringing with a tenor weighing 34cwt and tuned to C-sharp. They are augmented by a sharp-second which provides a light ring of eight, tenor 11cwt in G-sharp. Full details of these bells, and their predecessors, are published at St. Giles' Cripplegate Ringing is arranged by the Ancient Society of College Youths and details are on their website ASCY. Visiting ringers are very welcome. To arrange a visit please contact the Tower Secretary Richard Pullin grandsirerich@googlemail.com

St Giles' Cripplegate Church
Fore Street
London EC2Y 8DA

 

Registered Charity               Number 1138077

 

Sunday 

8.30- 8.50 Morning Prayer

10.00-11.10 Parish Eucharist with Children's Sunday Club

1-2-1 Prayer Ministry in the Lady Chapel during Holy Communion on the 3rd Sunday of the month. 

4.00-4.45 Choral Evensong on 1st Sunday of the month.  

4.00-4.20 Said Evening Prayer.    on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays in the month.

 

Monday 

8.00 - 8.20 Holy Eucharist
8.30 - 8.50 Morning Prayer
5.30 - 5.50 Evening Prayer
 
Tuesday

8.30 - 8.50 Morning Prayer 

5.30 - 5.50 Evening Prayer

6.00 - 6.20 Holy Eucharist

 

Wednesday
8.30 - 8.50 Morning Prayer 
10.00 - 10.20 Holy Eucharist and coffee 
12.30 - 1.00 Bible Study in the Rectory
5.30 - 5.50 Evening Prayer
 
Thursday
1.00 - 1.30 1st Thursday of the month only: SIlent Prayer
 
Friday 
8.30 - 8.50 Morning Prayer
12.30 - 12.55 Holy Communion BCP 1662       
5.30 - 5.50 Evening Prayer

 

Wednesday 12th February 

Lectio  Divina on Zoom  at 7.30pm.

Please contact Susan Royce for details   susanjroyce@gmail.com

 

2025 Dates for Silent Prayer from 1-1.30 pm and Cleaning Angels from 1.30-3pm with tea and cake, on first Thursday of the month.

You are invited to join others in church on  the first Thursday of the month.

If you are not able to join us, we hope you will continue to pray with us wherever you are, 

  • 6 February 
  • 6 March 
  • 3 April 
  • 1 May
  • 5 June

2025 Dates for Standing Committee Meetings - held in the Rectory at 6.15pm

  • 3rd March
  • 1st September

 

2025 Dates for PCC Meetings

held in the church at 7.30pm but in the Rectory when with Supper,

  • 25th February
  • 6th April APCM stage 1 11.30am in church
  • 7th April Supper in the Rectory
  • 11th May APCM stage 2 11.30am in church
  • 15th September

 
Parish Office Hours

For the Parish Administrator 
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-4pm

 

Phone 07535 442955 or 

tola@stgileschurch.com 
 

For the Bookings and Events Co-ordinator, Buildings Supervisor 

Phone 07766 202731 or jake@stgileschurch.com

 

Safeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith. We are all made unique and in the image of God.

‘Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance’ John 10 v 10.

St Giles’ works to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Please click the ‘safeguarding' tab on this website for more information.

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