Choir
The parish choir (with singers from different villages in the Team) has 16 regular members, plus ‘occasional’ singers who join us for special services such as Advent and Christmas carol services. We sing in four-part harmony, and our repertoire includes many well-known hymns and anthems as well as some newer ones.
The choir sings at a Sunday service each week (except in August) in one or other of the churches in the team, and will visit most of the churches during the year. Worshippers around the team have commented what a difference it makes when the choir sings for their services, and we are always made welcome.
Each church has its own character, and it is a great pleasure to join in the worship in the different villages. Services we attend include Parish Communion, Matins and Evensong. It is good to have the chance to sing psalms and canticles at the non-Eucharistic services, in addition to hymns and anthems. Hymns are an inspiring part of our church life, and an important role for the choir is to lead and encourage congregational singing.
One of the highlights of the year is the Advent Procession in Heytesbury. Other major events are the Anzac service at Sutton Veny, and occasional weddings and funerals.
Choir rehearsals take place in Heytesbury church from 6.00-7.30pm on Thursdays. New singers are always welcome to boost our numbers and our confidence.
The Choir singing Hallelujah from Handel's Messiah
Credit for photo: Nick Swann
Farewell and Thank you to Nick Hedley
After retiring from playing the organ for UWVT services over a decade, Nick Hedley was given a water colour (by Jonathan Wansey) from the choir.
In his note of thanks Nick said “It has been a privilege to help with the music in the Benefice. The choir’s presence really transforms the services, injecting a vibrancy, energy and spiritual dimension that really raises the ‘worship experience’ to a different level.”
The whole UWVT are extremely grateful to Nick for his exceptional organ playing and his ability to play anything put in front of him sometimes at short notice. He has enhanced our worship at all our various styles of service and we will miss him very much.