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Music
at St Marks
Harmony for the Heart, Music for the Spirit
Music in the choral tradition has always been central to worship at St Mark’s, as much so now as in generations past. We have a strong choir and able team of organists, which lead many of our regular and special services, as well as a dynamic music group and many other talented instrumentalists.
Our journey to church on a Sunday morning is unfailingly serenaded by our team of bellringers, who also ring for special occasions on request.
Music Group
The music group usually lead the music at our monthly Family service and contribute to the music in other 10am services throughout the year. We play in a range of styles from lively and upbeat to quiet and meditative, to fit the mood of the service. We try a variety of worship songs, some modern and some more traditional but with a different feel due to our use of instrumentation or vocal harmonies.
The group rehearses, usually on the Saturday morning before a service in which we play. We are always happy to welcome new members, whatever your ability and people are welcome to just join the rehearsal sessions to gain some experience in playing together in a group or just to enjoy the fellowship and worship of playing together in church.
The Choir
St Mark’s has a strong choral tradition, and an able choir to match. Consisting of a junior section and a group of experienced senior choristers, both ladies and gentlemen, the choirs lead worship at most of our 10am and 6pm Sunday services, as well as a number of weddings and other special services during the year.
The musical repertoire for the choir is vibrant and diverse, in settings for hymns chants and anthems. We include works as varied as Tallis and John Rutter, singing choruses and modern choir settings by John Bell, Margaret Rizza and compositions from the Taizé community. For up to date music details on what's being played and sung at St Mark's take a look at our Facebook page
New members are always welcome in the choir, in both our junior and senior sections. Practice is every Friday evening at 7.30pm. For more information contact Patsy Howes at p.howes41@btinternet.com
The Organ
At St Mark’s we have a dedicated and talented team of organists who accompany our choir at most of our main services, and many more besides.
Built in 1871 by John Nicholson of Worcester, the organ itself is a very good two manual tracker action instrument. There are seven stops on the Great Manual, nine stops on the Swell and two ranks of pedal pipes 16' and 8'. It was restored in late 1999 with a rebuilt wind chest and new keys.
The organ case was originally made in about 1660 and came from St John's College, Cambridge. When the instrument was new, the pipework was arranged to fit into this historic case and, to achieve success, the organ has the stop controls opposite to the standard arrangement, with Swell on the right and Great on the left.
For more detailed information about the organ and its history, please see the St Mark's Organ History website maintained by Peter Lock.
Bell Ringing
At St Mark's, we have a band of enthusiastic ringers, who ring our historic peal of six bells. With three of our bells pre-dating the Reformation (when many bells were destroyed), it is a tradition which stretches a long way back into Bilton's history, but we are pleased to say it is still thriving today.
Ringing takes place every week for the main 10am Sunday service, starting at 9.15am, and sometimes for our evening services. Ringers are also in demand for a number of weddings during the year, and even for funerals. Around Christmas time, there are a number of special carol services for which we also ring.
We have long-standing ringers who have been ringing since their junior school days, but also those who are 'learning the ropes' from scratch - new ringers, of any age or experience, are always welcome. Quarter Peals are rung on special occasions, often for a ringer to demonstrate newly acquired skills, and none of us ever stop learning. In recent years, we rang on the funeral day of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II, and we also rang to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (part of the national 'Ring for the King' recruitment drive). We have also restarted the tradition of ringing in the New Year, despite competition from fireworks ! Further back in time, in 2008, I'm sure there was a great celebration when the bells were rehung.
We are members of the Coventry Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers, and often take part in Guild wide activities such as striking competitions, special practices and outings, and these are excellent social occasions.
Ringing practices take place on Monday evenings, from 7.30-9.00pm, except on bank holidays, and visitors are welcome to join us. For more information, please contact the Tower Captain, David Price.
