We accompany the hymns and worship songs on the first Sunday of the month, supporting the All Age Service. We also play reflective music during the communion and processional music at the end of these services. We take part in the St. James’s Young Musicians recitals and support the music in some special services, such as the Carol Services and Confirmations.

The group has to strike a balance between 'making a joyful noise unto the Lord' and providing an acceptable musical accompaniment for the congregation.

For some members this is our only opportunity to make music in a group. We have a run-through at 9.00 on the morning of each All-age Service. Sometimes we also rehearse following the services, especilly if there are new pieces to learn. 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!

The group is made up of people of all ages - the youngest is eight and the rest are as old as they feel! We encompass a wide range of musical experience.

There are currently over 20 players and the membership changes slightly as people come and go. We are sometimes known as an 'elastic band' because we manage, however many members turn up! We have a repertoire of about 100 religious songs and hymns and 40 other pieces.

There is no age limit, nor, in fact, many 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.

All our music is on the church website in pdf (Acrobat) format so that we can download it and print it out. When we join the Players we are told how to access the music website page. We are sent an email message a couple of weeks before the next service with the details of what we are playing.

St. James's Players welcome new members at any time. We can accommodate more or less any instrument at more or less any standard.