St Mary's compelling music programme seeks to stir and enrich the hearts and minds of all who worship or attend a concert performance in our beautiful stone church on the cliffs at Kangaroo Point.
Sunday worship is cradled in a rich blend of organ and choral music from many styles and eras, and might be described as traditional, though not rigidly so.
Our series of seasonal Choral Devotions (CHORAL SUNSETS at 5.30pm) at 5.30pm) is widely known for its thought provoking beauty.
The MAM CONCERT SERIES enables Brisbane audiences to enjoy outstanding performances of chamber, choral and organ music in the intimacy of one of the city's most beautiful venues. Click here to view current events.
Please join our MUSIC MAILING LIST if you would like to be informed of current events.
• EMILY COX (Choral Director) • CHRISTOPHER WRENCH (Organist/Music Director) •
St Mary's Choir
St Mary's Choir in its present form was established in 1994 as a mixed choir of 12-14 singers from a variety of backgrounds and professions. The Full Choir sings every other Sunday (see: choir schedule) at the 9.00am Eucharist and rehearses on Thursday evening (7.30pm) and Sunday morning (8am). The choir sings a broad repertoire, incorporating all periods of choral music from Gregorian chant through to the 20th century.
New choir members are welcome at any time - if you would like to join St Mary's Choir, please contact EMILY COX.
St Mary's Scholars
St Mary's offers opportunities to young musicians in the form of annual organ and choral scholarships whose purpose is to foster and develop skills in liturgical music performance.
For information about current scholarships contact Christopher Wrench (07-3511 7742). Tax-deductible contributions to the scholarship programme via St Mary's Music Foundation are gratefully received!
St Mary's MUSIC FOUNDATION
St Mary's Music Foundation was established in 2007 to support and promote musical excellence at St Mary's Kangaroo Point. Tax-deductible donations in support of our musical endeavours are always welcome.
St Mary's Organ
St Mary's is the custodian of Queensland's oldest pipe organ. As a result of the 'modernization' of this instrument in 1961 many important original components were removed. A major project to regain the integrity of the original instrument is planned for the coming years. In order to accommodate St Mary's significant musical requirements in the interim, a 3-manual Allen Q-300 digital organ was purchased from All Organs Australia in 2008.
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 rehearses each Tuesday evening in St Mary's Hall and
provide choral resources for special services, including
weddings.
St Mary's Grand Piano
In 2005 James Cox (a lifelong choral singer and lover of fine music) offered to purchase a concert-grade grand piano for St Mary's, in recognition of the key role played by the parish music ministry, and to enable and support the further development of this ministry.
The arrival of the Boston (Steinway) 218 (7'2) in September 2005 has had a profound impact on liturgical and non-liturgical musical presentations.
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.
