Holy Trinity Choir

Contact: Martin Holford (01483 576500 or e-mail)

What is the choir?

The choir of Holy Trinity church is a group of about forty to fifty people which enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful, dynamic and flourishing church choirs in Southern England.  The choir sings at two services each Sunday at Holy Trinity.

Who can join?

Boys aged 7-13 to sing treble and adults of any age.  It is one of the few choirs left with an all-boys treble line. However, girls are welcomed in the Parish Youth Choir.  The alto, tenor and bass parts are sung by male and female voices aged from 14 to 84.

What does the choir offer to boys?

Boys aged between 7 and 13 are especially welcome: the choir offers the opportunity not only to sing music to the glory of God in the context of Christian worship, but also to make new friends, join a great team, earn extra pocket money and receive free musical education. There are also generous grants available to assist with instrumental lessons and all boy choristers may style themselves Choral Scholars.

In addition, the choir offers the chance to participate in an all-age organisation which provides a cultural and artistic activity in an increasingly materialistic world.

Boys also receive individual singing tuition. There is no fee for joining or for membership. Boys are paid to belong. There is no audition for entry and full training is given. However, commitment, loyalty and enthusiasm are greatly valued.

How often does the choir sing?

The choir sings two services most Sundays at 10.00am and 6.30pm and on other special occasions; practices are held every Thursday from 6.30pm to 8.15pm and prior to each Sunday service.  Click here to see the music being sung this month.

The choir is on vacation roughly in line with school holiday periods (excepting the Christmas and Easter periods).

What else does the choir do?

Apart from the exciting repertoire performed at services throughout the year, the choir has undertaken public concerts (including secular works), radio broadcasts, tape and compact disc recordings and has sung at many cathedrals including St. Alban’s Abbey, York Minster, and Guildford, Chichester, Portsmouth, Exeter, Durham and Gloucester cathedrals. A residential trip to Exeter in 2011 follows the series of successful and enjoyable weeks at York, Gloucester, Exeter and Durham (2009). The choir will sing at Wells Cathedral in 2013.

In recent years, the choir has been very fortunate to have the composer Will Todd  as one of its members and the choir regularly sings his music, including his increasingly well known 'Mass in Blue'.

The choir has issued two CD recordings entitled 'A Guildford Christmas' and 'Blessed Trinity' on the Regent Records label .

The choir enjoys close links with Guildford Cathedral choir The two choirs share resources and join together to sing Evensong once a year in the summer.
There are regular social occasions for the boys, adults and the whole choir together; especially when the choir is on tour.

Who runs the choir and what should I do if I want to find out more?

The Organist and Director of Music is Martin Holford B. Mus ARCO who welcomes enquiries from potential choir members or parents at any time (01483 576500; mholford@tormeadschool.org.uk)

Martin is also Assistant Director of Music at Tormead School.

The Assistant Organist is Robert Patterson FRCO who is a former assistant organist of Canterbury Cathedral.  From February 2010 the Assistant Organist will be Dr Anthony Gritten FRCO.

There are displays and leaflets about the choir at the back of Holy Trinity Church and further information can be sent on request.  Please email or phone Martin Holford.

The choir takes child protection issues very seriously in line will all youth organisations at the church.