CREDITON Parish Church has a long choral tradition. The church choir is well-known and respected in the county and beyond and forms the backbone of the church, singing at weekly services, giving regular concerts, recording CDs and touring both around the country and abroad.
We have recently broadcast our carol service on BBC Radio Devon and has also been broadcast on television and on Radio 4.
In the coming year it is planned to visit Exeter and Gloucester cathedrals and a trip to France is being planned for 2010, where the choir will be giving concerts and singing for services in some of the wonderful churches and cathedrals there.
The choir has a core membership of around 25 adults and a thriving junior section whose treble voices form an integral part of the music.
The Open Evening will take place on Tuesday, March 17 from 6pm to 7.30pm. Anyone interested is very welcome to come along to find out more. There are currently vacancies in the junior section (7 – 15years) for eight boys and three girls and adult altos and tenors are also sought.
All the juniors in the choir receive free individual musical training in singing and aspects of musical theory. This training can provide many advantages as the young choristers learn to be part of a disciplined team and acquire skills that can have far reaching benefits in other spheres.
The atmosphere within the treble section is very friendly and welcoming and provides a unique place in which children can both learn and flourish.
Many former choristers have continued with music at degree level and now have successful musical careers.
Interested youngsters should be reassured that joining the choir is not all about singing. They also enjoy an active social life including swimming, ten pin bowling, trips to the cinema and pantomime and joining the choir on outings to sing at nearby cathedrals. There is a choir club that meets for an hour each Tuesday evening after the junior choir rehearsal.
Further information about the Open Evening and the choir is available from the Director of Music Steven Martin Tel: 01884 840 206 or from the choir website http://www.holycrosschoir.com">www.holycrosschoir.com .