AGM Report 2008

The choir leads the musical worship at Parish Communion and on other festal occasions. It continues to sing anthems, hymns and songs specifically for these occasions and also leads the sung liturgical settings.

The Christmas Carol Service was very well received by all who attended and it was, indeed, a joyous occasion with some fine singing.

We warmly welcome a new member, Irene, this year and we hope and pray that others will feel moved to join us as we do need more voices if we are to continue the musical traditions of this church.

Choir practice is held each Wednesday at 7.30p.m., in the church, and usually lasts about an hour-perhaps longer when we have to prepare new music.

We really would welcome new members!

Finally, I wish to thank all who give up valuable time to prepare music for worship so that we may praise and glorify God to the best of our ability.

Gwyneth Reed-Aspley

AGM Report 2007

The choir continues to lead the musical worship at all the main parish communion services and at services for many other special occasions.

We produced a carol service which was rapturously received by many people and we have many positive comments from visiting clergy who all say how delightful it is to visit a church with a choir to lead the singing. We have also participated in the Songs of Praise, televised at the Cathedral, both this year and last year.

Sadly, this year we have lost a long serving member so we pray that others will be moved to join us so we can continue with our choral praise and worship I know that this musical worship is important to each member of the choir and I wish to extend my personal thanks to these people who are totally committed to attending weekly practices and services in order to sing to God's praise and glory.

Gwyneth Reed-Aspley
Choir Director

Update ~ September 2005

Laura Johnson (one of our Alto singers) will be going off to the Central School of Speech & Drama in London studying for a B.A. Hons in Acting with a special interest in Music Theatre. She will be sadly missed in the Choir, but we wish her every success in her new venture.  We hope Laura will be able to join us at Christmas for the Carol Service etc. [or else!].

BBC 'Songs of Praise'

Several members of our Church Choir and congregation participated in the recording of 'Songs of Praise' at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday 26th July 2005 as part of the celebrations to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II.  Prior to this we spent several hours rehearsing under the eagle eye of Paul Leddington Wright; it was hard work but very enjoyable despite the extremely hot weather.

Please, please if you can sing in tune and would like to join the choir have a word with Gwyneth or any member of the choir, or as we have said before, just come along on a Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm and see/hear for yourself what goes on!

Update ~ February 2005

We are pleased to welcome into the choir two new members, namely Laura (Alto) and Phillippa (Soprano).

Recording of 'The Crucifixion' by Stainer

Our Church Choir was thrilled to be invited by the Coventry Philharmonic Choir to participate in a professional CD recording of Stainer's devotional service 'The Crucifixion' by the 'Classical Recording Company'. On Saturday 5th February 2005, we joined them and members of other Church Choirs from around the city for a rehearsal and recording session at Warwick Road United Reformed Church. The Musical Director of Coventry Philharmonic Choir, Steven Russell, worked us quite hard but managed to make the afternoon most enjoyable.

Margaret Durrant

Update ~ 2004

Here in Binley Church we have a good mixed-voice choir, albeit a small one, but all members are dedicated and work extremely hard to uphold musical standards in order to enhance the Worship in the Church.

We have a wide repertoire ranging from Faure's Requiem to excerpts from Handel's Messiah and, in different circumstances, the choir will tackle 'anything' musical as will have been noticed at the Jubilee Celebrations, singing songs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and yes, we even had our own Orchestra!!! This was greatly appreciated by the audience as they were able to join in with the singing and flag waving. More recently, we participated in David Howard's farewell party with songs from yester-year.

On a more serious note (pardon the pun) we desperately need more singers, particularly Altos (we now have two! - thanks to Mo Waller) and especially Tenors because on special occasions such as Holy Week, Pentecost and the Confirmation Service we sing Anthems but without all the various parts, it is extremely difficult. We have our usual Christmas Carol service, which obviously involves longer practices and a run through in the afternoon prior to the Service; not forgetting our usual Sunday services.

So PLEASE, PLEASE, if you can sing in tune and would be prepared to make a regular commitment of approximately one and a half hours of your valuable time on a Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm we would be most grateful.

Don't be shy, we don't bite, honest ! So have a word with Gwyneth or indeed any member of the choir (male or female), or better still, just come along and see for yourself - it may be hard work but it can also be fun!

Margaret Durrant
Hon. Choir Sec. &
RSCM Correspondent

Gwyneth Reed-Aspley

Musical Director

Updated April 2004

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