Music at St Mary’s

Music is an important and integral part of life and worship at St Mary’s. Our long musical tradition was rekindled in 1994 with the appointment of internationally acclaimed organist Christopher Wrench as Director of Music/Organist and Emily Cox as Choir Director.

St Mary’s Music might be described as traditional, though not rigidly so. Worship at St Mary’s is cradled in a rich blend of organ, choral, solo and congregational music from many styles and eras including music by local composers. Music is provided every Sunday at the 9.00 Eucharist by the Full Choir, reduced choir or cantors and organist. Click here for Monthly Music List. 

In addition to special Choral Liturgies which are presented on Advent Sunday and Palm Sunday, St Mary’s offers a vibrant concert programme to the wider community throughout the year.

St Mary’s ORGAN UPDATE: As the Lincoln organ in its current condition and 1961 configuration is inadequate for St Mary’s musical needs, a 3-manual Allen digital organ provided by All Organs Australia has been installed until the organ rejuvenation project can be realised. We acknowledge the generosity of an anonymous donor who has enabled the hire of this instrument for 2007.  

A special feature or our liturgical music programme in 2007 is the performance of the complete organ works of Dieterich Buxtehude in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the composer’s death.
St Mary’s Choir
The Choir of St Mary’s Kangaroo Point in its present form was established in 1994 as a mixed choir of 12-18 singers from a variety of backgrounds and professions. The Full Choir generally sings every second Sunday at the 9.00am Sung Eucharist with rehearsals on the preceding Thursday evening (7.30-9pm) and on Sunday morning at 8.00am.  Click to view our choir schedule. The choir sings a broad repertoire, incorporating all periods of choral music from Gregorian chant through to the 20th century.

Opportunities exist to sing in St Mary Choir. If you enjoy singing and would like to be a member of the choir or know someone who would like to join the choir click here for audition requirements, please contact Emily Cox (email address) (Tel: 07-2511 7740)

St Mary’s Scholars
St Mary’s offer’s opportunities to young musicians in the form of annual organ and choral scholarships whose purpose is to foster a love of, and develop skills in the performance of liturgical music.

For information about current scholarships, to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, or to donate a scholarship, please contact Christopher Wrench (07-3511 7742 t).

Composers in Residence

In addition to new liturgical music composed by the Director of Music enjoys the privilege of its own resident composer, retired music educator/conductor/organist Ian McKinley whose Araleun Mass can be heard regularly on Sunday mornings. St Mary’s Rector the Ven. Stephen Redhead has also written a number of fine contemporary worship songs which are sung from time to time at both formal and informal services.

Ensemble in Residence
St Mary’s is proud to provide a home to one of Australia’s leading choral ensembles CANTICUM CHAMBER CHOIR directed by Emily Cox. CANTICUM sings Evensong several times a year and rehearses each Monday evening in St Mary’s Hall.
St Mary’s Grand Piano
In 2005 an anonymous donor approached St Mary’s with an offer to purchase a grand piano in recognition of the importance of music at St Mary’s, and in the hope that such a piano would play a key role in the expansion of St Mary’s Music Programme.

The impact on both liturgical and non-liturgical musical presentations of the beautiful Boston (Steinway) 218 (7’2) Piano which arrived at St Mary’s in September 2005 has been profound.

Memorial Chancel Chairs
On 9 May 2004 Bishop Ron William dedicated two bridal chairs and fourteen new chancel/choir chairs, the majority of which were donated in memory of Bronwen Warner (1936-2002), wife of Canon John Warner, rector from 1993-99.

Bronwen was an enthusiastic supporter of choral music and greatly encouraged the formation of a new choir at St Mary’s in 1994.

Music LINKS

Anglicansonline Music Resources anglicansonline.org/resources/music.html
Anglican Church Music Web Ring www.churchmusic.org.uk/ring/index.php
Oremus Hymnal www.oremus.org/hymnal
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco www.gracecathedral.org/av
All Organs Australia
www.saintmarys.org.au/wrench.htm