Worship Support at Elvet Church

Choir

Elvet choir has always played an integral part in the life of the church, maintaining the high standards of a long musical tradition, which is our heritage. When the present building was opened in 1903, the choir sang Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, and a choir was active in the former Wesleyan Chapel, built on land which is now part of the Marriott Royal County Hotel.  Referring to the introduction of an organ in l840, the Revd Thomas Collins wrote: "Not without need, for the choir was the most pitiful I ever knew".   Happily, things improved.  Our present Minister, the Revd Neil Dixon is very supportive to the choir, he has a fine tenor voice, and sings with us when he is able.

Our choir consists of about 20 singers: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, and we are always glad to welcome new members. We sing during  morning services (10.45.a.m.), and some members also take part in the Taizé-style services, which are held on occasional Sunday evenings at 6.00.p.m.

We rehearse in church on Sunday mornings, from 9.45.a.m. till 10.30.a.m., preceding the morning service.  We have a wide repertoire of music, ranging from renaissance motets through to works by contemporary composers.

As part of our outreach, we have sung in the local community, e.g. Sherburn Hospital, Earls House Hospital, Durham Prison Chapel, etc.  We have also sung with churches of other denominations, as part of 'Durham Churches Together', and we form the nucleus of a 'Circuit Choir'.  The latter comprises choirs within the Durham and Deerness Valley Circuit of the Methodist Church, and sings at circuit services and festivals.

Our choir is directed by Brian Tanner and Martin Clarke, and works well, both musically and socially.

New members will be warmly welcomed.
Contact: Ann Bradbrook, Choir Secretary
Rehearsals: Sunday mornings, 9.45.am. till 10.30.a.m. (preceding morning service)
Place: The choir vestry (room 1) at Elvet Methodist Church

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Organ

Elvet Methodist Church possesses a fine 3 manual pipe organ, built in 1934 by the Durham firm of Nelson and now maintained by the famous Durham organ builders Harrison and Harrison. It has electro-pneumatic action, balanced swell and choir box pedals, and a radiating concave pedal board. The specification is:

Suitably skilled persons wishing to use the organ for practice or to volunteer to play occasionally for services, weddings or funerals should get in touch with the Organist, Professor Brian Tanner, or the Assistant Organist, Dr Martin Clarke using the contact page on this web site.

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