Malvern Priory has two choirs of 45 adults and nearly 40 children:
1) Priory Choir - men and children
2) Priory Singers - mixed voice adults
In addition there is a Praise Group and an orchestra of about 20 instrumentalists (children and adults).
Priory Choir in Malvern Priory, 2002
Priory Singers sing Evensong in Coventry CathedralFebruary 2004
Malvern Priory (and choir) was chosen by TV producer Steve Benson for one of the BBC’s Advent King and the Kingdom services televised live on 12 December 1999.
For details of the Priory Choir's CDs visit this link
The choirs have sung for services at the cathedrals of Exeter, Bristol, Birmingham, Chester, Coventry, Winchester, Salisbury, Worcester, Ripon, Linclon, Guildford and Llandaff, and at other churches including St Michael’s Tenbury Wells, Little Malvern Priory, Beverley Minster, Christchurch Abbey, Southwell Minster and Bath Abbey. The Priory Singers also sing in a carol service at Croome Church situated in the National Trust's Croome Park near Worcester.
In 2007 the choir will sing the services at Ely Cathedral - 20/22 July
Events for the junior choristers include:
- Choir camps
- Concert performances in the Priory
- Swimming and bowling sessions and much more!
For more details of the history of music in the Priory see bottom of this page.
Chorister News
Chorister Jack Lewis died on 11 April 2003. His dedicated service to the Priory choirs covered almost 80 years and until shortly before his death he was happy to sing alto, tenor, or bass. A plaque commemorating his service was placed in the Priory in 2005 and a medal in his honour is worn by the chorister who has given good service during the preceding month.
Priory Choristers with instruments for the choir
concert, January 2003.
In 2005 the Priory Junior
choirs members gained four Bishop's and six Dean's awards in the RSCM scheme.
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Music at Great Malvern Priory The choirs of Malvern Priory have developed from a rich and varied musical tradition stretching back over many centuries, starting with the Benedictine monks' chanting of the daily offices, followed by the ad hoc forms of music developed throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, with the musicians and organ sited on a gallery at the west end of the nave. The more traditional robed choir of boys and men seated in the choir developed as part of the mid-19th century Oxford movement. The Lyttelton Grammar School was founded in 1874, with the expressed intent to help supply boys for the choir, and using the old Sunday school room as the school premises. This had been built by Lady Lyttelton in 1817 and rebuilt in 1886. With the appointment of Dr Louis Hamand, in 1910, and Mr Thornton as Headmaster from 1903 until 1933, these years may be seen as one of the high points of music at the Priory, with daily rehearsals for the boys to prepare for the Cathedral-style repertoire. As well as being a distinguished musician, Dr Hamand was also noted for his skills in both writing and painting. Indeed his book on the stained glass windows in the Priory is still being sold and all of the artwork in the book is his own, including the front cover of the new CD. The 1940s saw a change of fortunes for music at the Priory. The war had a disastrous effect on the choir with many of the men being unable to sing regularly. By 1946, the Lyttelton School was forced to close due to financial difficulties. The elderly Dr Hamand retired in 1946 and was replaced by John Durham Holl who had the difficult task of rebuilding the depleted choir without the help of the choir school. The next few decades saw mixed fortunes in the Priory choir. With church attendance in general gradually falling, any retention of a traditional choir of boys and men was an achievement in itself The 1970s and early 1980s saw a succession of organists. David Cooper was appointed in 1984, and for the 12 years that followed, a choir of boys and men flourished. A new adult choir, the Priory Singers became established and in 1992, the Priory Girls Choir was formed. More informal styles of worship were catered for by the newly formed Praise Group and a small orchestra was formed for the once a month family services. All these added to the rich diversity of music at the Priory. Regular cathedral visits were made and the annual summer residential trips began in 1992 with a week at Salisbury cathedral. After David Cooper, Nicholas Woods, Nigel McClintock and Andrew Wilson and the current Director of Music, Martyn Lane, continued these traditions, although it was decided in 1998 to amalgamate boys and girls into one choir, the situation which exists today. The children's choir now numbers over 30 and plays a very active role in serving the musical needs of the Priory. The children enjoy a rich and varied diet of other musical and social activities outside the Priory which includes the annual choir camp held every Easter. |
Old Choristers Association
Past and present choristers are invited to join the Old Choristers Association to keep in touch with the choirs, meet up with old friends and hear the latest news. The Annual Reunion Dinner, usually held in April, follows the Association Choral Evensong.
For details contact Roger Wilson at office@greatmalvernpriory.org.uk