PUPILS of St Michael’s C of E Primary Academy, Heavitree, in Devon, are collaborating in Choir Church: a musical offering run in partnership with the parish church.
Choir Church — which mixes musical training and spiritual formation — was established in 2016 with impetus from the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication, led by the Bishop of Islington, the Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, as a model for brand spanking new worshipping communities (News, 17 November 2017).
It offers children in class Years 3-6 the chance to learn and develop a spread of musical skills and knowledge, with the English choral tradition at its heart, and to sing at a eucharist to which oldsters, teachers, neighbours, and the church congregation are invited.
Run by the Team Rector of Heavitree and St Mary Steps, the Revd Benjamin Rabjohns, and led by Matthew Jeffrey, a lay vicar of Exeter Cathedral, it’s a weekly after-school activity, with refreshments and interactive games in addition to choir. Fifteen pupils currently attend.
“The children really enjoy it,” Fr Rabjohns said. “They get a way of feat out of it as they learn and develop their music knowledge in a distinct place. It’s a very good technique to deepen a relationship with the varsity, and to have a presence there frequently, to construct a relationship between the varsity, the church and families.
“Our hope is that Choir Church adds value to what the varsity is already doing. We hope that we may give pupils musical educational value, too.”
Eucharists were introduced in the varsity for the primary time at Christmas. “The formation of our Choir Church has brought one other dimension to our faculty vision of enriching lives and enabling children to flourish,” the recently retired head teacher, Karen Leach, said.
“For a few years, there had been discussion about how we could introduce a eucharist service commonly into the varsity.
“It’s enhancing the varsity tradition of equipping children musically for worship and life. Our hope, as a faculty team, is that the congregation continues to construct, and that wider participation of the community will proceed to grow.”
