Choir and Bell Ringers

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The Choir

St. Stephen's currently has a choir of approximately 40 members, which includes a junior section of children (boys and girls) aged between 7 and 13 years old.

St Stephens Church Choir

The choir sings a variety of different music ranging from congregational settings of the Eucharist to 'cathedral' style settings of Evensong. Music from a wide period of composition is sung ranging from plainsong through to contemporary music recently written (some even written for us!). Of course, we also lead the congregation in Hymn singing (of various styles) and in the singing of the psalms. Every Autumn we sing in the Royal School of Church Music Canterbury Area Festival where we join with choirs from all over the Canterbury Diocese. The junior members work their way through a chorister training scheme organised by the R.S.C.M., called 'A Voice for Life' and this provides them with basic musical knowledge, singing technique and also helps them to build confidence in themselves - it has actually been proved that a musical education can help in other areas of a child's academic studies.

However, learning and singing music of this difficulty and to a high standard takes a lot of hard work and commitment both from the choristers themselves and from parents who provide lifts etc.! Each Sunday there are two sung services - Sung Eucharist at 10.30am and Choral Evensong at 6.00pm. For juniors there are two practices a week, first on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30pm in which we spend part of the time working on technique and working towards the various awards that can be gained and secondly on Fridays between 7.30 and 8.30pm where we rehearse with the rest of the choir, usually on music for the next few services. As well as all the hard work though, there is a social side to the choir including 'parties', barbecues and various trips.

Prospective choristers would be given a short audition (although nothing to be frightened of!) just so that I can see what stage of development their voice is in and what musical skills they may already have (and are often unaware of!). The ideal age to join the choir so to get the most out of the voice would probably be somewhere between 7 and 10, but of course this is always flexible! There is also plenty of room in the choir for adults who rehearse on Fridays from 7.30 - 9.00pm so do contact me if you want any further information about that.

If you have any questions about the choir or are interested in joining then contact .

Listen to the choir singing:

The Bell Ringers

THE BELFRY PRAYER. We beseech Thee, O Heavenly Father, to pour Thy grace into the hearts of those who work for Thee in ringing the bells of the Church. Grant that we may never forget the sacredness of Thy House, nor profane it by thoughtlessness or irreverence, but make us ever mindful that when we ring the bells, we ring for Thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The Tower caters for all ages and varying abilities and leadership skills are encouraged.

New recruits are warmly welcomed, along with the oft-changing population of experienced "ringing" students, who come to St. Stephen's from educational establishments within the City from time to time.

Fame At Last

It's not every day that you appear on TV, but at last my talent has been recognised and they are giving me some air time...about time too! On a cold Monday evening in December all was not as normal in St Stephen's bell tower; Meridian TV's weather girl Gemma Humphries and her camera crew descended upon our practice to record a Christmas special. The brief: teach her to ring and give her an interview. The time scale: half an hour ...boy did I have my work cut out! After a quick crash course in ringing, we started filming. I soon discovered that the old wives' tale of men's inability to multitask was true and I had great difficultly ensuring that Gemma didn't quite hang herself whilst trying to be all smiley and giving an interview. It isn't easy trying to concentrate with a camera up your nose, but we survived and we are now hoping that the finished product will give the ringing world some much deserved publicity. Of course, this few minutes of fame hasn't changed me. I hope some of you saw us on Meridian evening News on 21st December.

Craig Huxley - Belltower Captain

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Choir

St Stephens Choir

Upcoming Choral events

Over the next month:

Bell Ringers

Image of Church bells

Upcoming Bell Ringing events

Over the next month:

Bell Ringing on Sundays

  • Mornings: 10:00am - 10:30am
  • Evenings (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays)
    Quarter Peals by arrangement:
    5:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Evenings (2nd and 4th Sundays)
    Ordinary Ringing
    5:30pm - 6:00pm

Bell Ringing Band visits

Any bands wishing to make arrangements to visit St Stephen's should contact:

  • The Secretary,
    Mr Craig Huxley,
    22 Kemsing Gardens
    Canterbury
    Kent, CT2 7RE
  • Tel: (01227) 769164

Interested in Bell Ringing?

If you would like to find out more about bellringing, please contact Mrs Ruth Niblett on (01227) 761936

Practice night is on Mondays from 7pm - 9pm.

Timings may be varied for absolute beginners.

In order to encourage our newer members, practices are often arranged for Wednesday mornings during school half terms and holidays.

Details of the bells

For details of the St Stephens bells, please visit an entry on Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent.

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