Music at St Mary's

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St Mary's Choir has a long tradition of providing first rate music for the services. Indeed, St Mary's is one of the few remaining choirs in England still to sing Choral Mattins regularly as well as the more usual services of Eucharist and Evensong. Over the years, the choir has paid regular visits to Chichester Cathedral to sing the services there as well as many other cathedrals (Canterbury, Guildford, Winchester, St. Albans, etc. plus St. George's Chapel, Windsor), and Andrew Millington, then of Guildford Cathedral, composed his 'Missa alme pater' to commission for Ewell's 150th anniversary celebrations for the current church building. The repertoire covers most corners of the Anglican choral tradition, as well as a fine range of European sacred music, and expands as the choir progresses. We are always delighted to hear from anyone who would like to join our happy team. For further information please contact either the Director of Music on directorofmusic at stmarysewell.com or the Choir Administrator on music at stmarysewell.com.

St Mary's boasts an illustrious list of past directors. Historically, both William Tans'ur (18th century) and Sir William Harris (1883-1973) were directors of the choir here. Recent times have also seen great talent behind the conductor's stand. Since holding the post of Director of Music at the church, Graeme Jenkins has gone on to be a guest conductor at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the Music Director of Dallas Opera and Principal Guest Conductor of Cologne Opera. Philip Matthias, is the past Director of Music at Newcastle Cathedral, New South Wales. He currently is Head of Church Music at the city's music Conservatorium and directs the Newcastle University Chamber Choir. Philip is a regular recitalist here in England, whose venues have included King's College, Cambridge and St Paul's Cathedral, London. Mark Dancer is currently the Director of Music at both Petersfield Parish Church and the Petersfield Choral Society. Richard Jenkinson directs the London Orpheus Choir, Meridian Voices, the Kent Chorus and the East Grinstead Choral Society. As a recitalist, he has appeared in King's College, Cambridge, as well as Truro, Arundel and Southwark Cathedrals. Julie Ainscough, came from being Organist & Director of Music at Christ Church, West Wimbledon and is a well-known local professional musician. Jonathan Holmes is Director of Music at Emanuel School, Clapham and a well-known recitalist. The current and recent past directors are Fellows of the Royal College of Organists.