The present membership includes:

Sopranos:
Mary Armstrong
Christine Ecclestone
Peggy Finbow
Ruth Hursey
Sheila Inwards
Molly Martin
Doreen Sanderson

Contraltos:
Ruby Blyth
Marion Sandeman

Tenors:
Jethro Free

Basses:
Ken Jones
Michael Seamons
Bruce Waldron
Eddie Winter

Organist:
Paul Leeder

Choir Mistress:
Sheila Inwards

As you can see, we could do with a few more voices, especially with the altos and tenors. Of recent years we have used anthems books “for Choirs which are short of Men”! In fact, these books are specially produced for 3 part singing, the men all singing the same notes. We also enjoy singing Anthems and Carols by the modern composer, John Rutter. There are other singers who, unable to practice on a regular basis, join us for special occasions, such as at Christmas.

With the arrival of the Rev Bruce Waldron as minister, we have also added more modern songs to the repertoire, some sung with piano, some with the ‘Elastic Band’, the instrumental group mainly consisting of young people of the church.

We need to note that, as the church is part of the United Bungay Circuit, we have also taken part in the special Circuit services around the area. In fact, two of our singers have membership within other churches, but still are regular members of the choir.

Since the end of January 2004, during the illness of Sheila Inwards, the choir has been trained and conducted by Peggy Finbow. Now that Sheila is almost back to full fitness, she resumed the leadership of the choir in September, but working together with Peggy.

Nowadays, with the use of the Emmaus Room for evening worship, the presence of the Choir has not been essential, although, when the church sanctuary is used for a larger service, the choir has usually taken its place to lead the worship.

Just a bit of history

This shortage of men’s voices has not always been the case. As far as I know, the choir existed for a number of years under the leadership of the then organist Paul Whitaker. He combined both offices organist and choirmaster. Following him came Albert Rumsby, While Albert was still organist, Sheila Inwards was appointed Choir Mistress in the autumn of 1963, with a piano accompanist, Margaret Work. In 1964 or 1965 Albert’s nephew, Paul Leeder, took over as organist. He and Sheila have worked together since that time. One member who has sung in the choir since the days of Albert Rumsby is Ruby Blyth - quite a long stint!

In the days of a large choir, twenty or more singers, we were able to perform quite big anthems. Also, according to the church year we worked towards special services or performances.

The end of Holy Week has been marked by a performance of a sacred oratorio - “The Crucifixion” by Stainer, “Olivet to Calvary” by Maunder , and “The Saviour” by W S Lloyd Webber (who has two famous musical sons), being the chief works. For these, invited soloists were also needed in the performances, which have always been accompanied by Paul Leeder at the organ. For some years, at the end of July, we had a Choir Sunday, in which we sang special anthems at morning and evening worship. Naturally, in December came the Carol service for which we, as a choir, prepared and sang special carol arrangements. As well as these there have been other performances of more modern musicals, especially those by Roger Jones: e.g ‘Pharisee’, ‘Jerusalem Joy’, ‘Pharaoh to Freedom’, ‘Greater than Gold’, ‘Saints Alive!’ and ‘Snakes and Ladders’.

In the summer of 2004, it was intended to celebrate the completion of 40 years by Sheila as choir mistress. Those who have been members of the choir during those 40 years had been invited back to join the present choir for a weekend. Several had arranged to come. Unfortunately Sheila’s illness prevented this from happening, so the celebration was ‘put on hold’ until July 2005, when, hopefully, we will be able to have a ‘big sing’ weekend.