The orchestra started life as a band of about half a dozen adults, leading
the music during the informal services on the first Sunday of each month
and in the Sunday evening service. It has evolved over the years into
an amazingly well balanced orchestra of sometimes twenty players. The
membership changes slightly as people come and go, but the group continues
to draw in both the young and not so young and encompasses a wide range
of musical experience.
There is no age limit, nor, in fact, any limits at all, although it
does help if a member can play a musical instrument! Instrumentalists
need to be able to read the appropriate notation for their instrument.
St. James's Players welcome new members at any time and they can accommodate
more or less any instrument at more or less any standard. Music is specially
arranged and uploaded onto this website by the musical director, Martin
Hinckley. Players then download their own parts.
The group has to strike a balance between 'making a joyful noise unto
the Lord' and providing an acceptable accompaniment for the congregation.
It has a repertoire of about eighty religious songs and hymns and thirty
communion pieces and playouts. It continues to accompany the hymns and
the sung parts of the communion service on the first Sunday of the month
All-age Service, plays reflective music during communion and processional
music at the end of these services. It supports the music in some special
services, such as the Carol Services and Confirmations.
For some members this is their only opportunity to make music in a group
and the fellowship engendered cannot be underplayed. There is a run-through
at 09.00 on the morning of each All-age Service and sometimes a new
piece is practiced immediately following this service for about ten
minutes. The limited rehearsal time and the need to be ready with the
right hymn at the right time in the right key develop useful transferable
skills!
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