Music is a source of joy in our services, with hymns, choral singing and organ music, all resounding in our church’s brilliant acoustic. This happens every Sunday at the 10am Sung Mass and at special choral services throughout the year.
Our choir enjoys singing together and learning a variety of sacred music. As volunteers we welcome new members and additional singers join us for special services.
If you think you will enjoy singing then please contact the Organist to come and have a go. Rehearsals are on a Friday evening in term time.
We are passionate about nurturing in children a love for signing. Our choristers learn to sing and read music following the Royal School of Church Music programme. They also gain confidence, discipline and team work, all in an encouraging and happy environment. Practice is on Friday evenings during term and they sing alongside the adult choir at the 10am Sung Mass on the first Sunday of each month. Please contact the Organist to arrange for your child to come and have a go.
Organ and choral scholarships provide a wonderful opportunity to receive excellent tuition within a working church environment. Previous scholars at All Saints’ have gone on to hold scholarships at prestigious UK universities. If you would like to enquire about a scholarship please contact our Organist.
Oliver Bond is Organist and Director of Music. He began learning the organ aged 11 and was organ scholar at University College Chapel, Durham University. During his time as a student in the UK and Germany, he continued his organ studies with Keith Wright, Professor Markus Eichenlaub and Anne Page. Oliver continues to work professionally as a musician, combining his role at All Saints’ with that of Director of Music at Bishop’s Stortford College.
The organ at All Saints’ is a fine instrument and makes a thrilling sound in the church’s resonant acoustic.
It was built in 1937 under the direction of Henry Willis III, whose notable organs include Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (the largest organ in the UK), Westminster Cathedral and Sheffield City Hall.
The two manual organ at Hockerill is much smaller but produces a smooth, Romantic tone. It is set in an elevated chamber north of the chancel. The console has tilting stop-tablets instead of the more conventional drawstops and is somewhat in the manner of the cinema organs of the time.
In 2019 the organ was enlarged and partially refurbished by Willis, to bring it up to date with standard performance features and enhance its original tonal character. We are grateful to all who made this work possible, including the following grant making bodies:
