'Sing unto the Lord and praise his name'

St. James’s Church Choir
The church choir supports the congregation regularly, though not every week, at Parish Communion services. In addition to the hymns, it sings at least one anthem, usually during the administration of Holy Communion and sometimes an introit.

The choir also leads the singing in the traditional Carol Service, sings a requiem during the All Souls' service and takes part in many special services throughout the year, helping to celebrate Advent, Christmas, Easter, and other important milestones in the Christian Year. It remains in demand for a number of weddings throughout the year. There are occasional special Sunday evensongs, both in St. James’s and also elsewhere. For several years the choir has been invited to sing evensong in the chapel at Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse, a special experience for all.

The choir consists of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. Both adults and children can be members. During 2005/6 a number of children were recruited into the choir and they followed the Royal School of Church Music Voice for Life programme for young choristers. New singers in all voices are always welcome – there is no audition but members need to be able to read music.

Rehearsals are held every Friday evening from 19.00 to 20.00 in the church and are great fun. They are sometimes followed by drinks and socialising at different members' homes.

St. James’s Children’s Choir
The children's choir is open to all children from Year 1 and above who love singing. No experience is needed. There is a fluctuating membership of about 40 children and the children are very welcome to join the choir for whichever events they can. We are especially pleased to have a strong group of singers from our Junior-aged children – more always welcome - as without them we wouldn’t be able to tackle the part-singing that is such great fun.

The annual programme usually consists of singing a few appropriate songs during the services at Mothering Sunday in the spring, Harvest Festival in October and at the Christmas Carol Service.

One of the joys of this choir is its part-time commitment! There are only have three rehearsals for each event, rehearsing and singing at St. James’s Church in Hampton Hill on Friday nights from 18.15 to 19.00.

The Ladies Casual Choir
The Ladies Casual Choir enjoys singing and does so with great enthusiasm. If you walk past the church on a Wednesday morning between 10.30 and 11.45, you may well hear great hilarity and even some enthusiastic singing! Their aim is simply to enjoy the music, the company and perhaps a little chat! They work on the basis of 'use it or lose it', not trying to work to 'concert standards' but nevertheless enjoying a challenge!

They have a great deal of music, two and three parts, all written for ladies voices. Some are very familiar but some are less well known and more challenging, so good for practising and improving sight-reading skills. Fortunately there are some singers who are quite proficient at these skills and so are able to assist those who are not. Although singing is the main object, fellowship is equally important. They make a small monetary contribution to help pay for new music. At Christmas they run a 'Carol Sing-a-long' afternoon with mince pies, sherry and a cup of tea. New members are always welcome.

Historical Background to St. James's Church Choir
There is no record of when a choir was first formed at St. James's. The first reference to it states that by 1886 the organist was earning £30 and the organ blower £4 15s 6d, while the choir expenses were £14 13s. By 1889 there were twenty men and eighteen boys in the choir, which practised every Friday evening, and a second choir of twenty boys, which trained them ready for the main choir.

The strength and composition of choir fluctuated over the years, sometimes needing the support of women's voices for the alto part, at other times being up to full (male) strength. In 1965 it was decided that there should not be a choir for Parish Communion services in order that that the service should be as congregational as possible. This remained the case until 1993 when the P.C.C. agreed, following consultation with the congregation, that the choir should sing on one Sunday a month at the Parish Communion service. By November 1994 all the Sunday evening services, apart from an occasional Choral Evensong, were stopped due to falling attendance. From 2007, the choir sang on further Sundays for saints days and special festivals.

In 2003 the choir was invited to sing choral evensong in the Tudor chapel of Sutton's Hospital, Charterhouse, in the City of London, and this has since become an (almost) annual event. In the same year, a Children's Choir was introduced to sing during special services such as the Carol Service, Mothering Sunday and Harvest.

For a more detailed account, read the page The History of St. James's Church Choir.