Choir and Music
From Orthodox Parish of St Nicholas
The services of the Russian Orthodox Church include a rich musical tradition. The music for the services is sung a cappella, without instrumental accompaniment, by the choir and the people in dialogue with the priest. In order to encourage congregational singing, our parish provides a weekly bulletin with the major troparia and kontakia of the current week. You can also download the regular hymns of our parish as well as the main hymns for Sundays in the eight tones.
The choir meets occasionally before services to rehearse music for the day, and holds once- or twice-monthly evening practices to learn new music and prepare for forthcoming feasts. No previous choral experience is required to join the choir - only an ability to sing and a desire to take part in this aspect of parish life.
For further details on singing with the choir, please contact the choir director.
Practice Schedule
The choir's practice schedule for the coming months is found below. For a listing of all the services of the parish, please see the full schedule of services.
Please telephone or email for the venue of the evening practices. We also operate a choir e-mailing list to which you can subscribe, to be kept informed of practices, etc.
Choir Rehearsals for the Coming Months
- SEPTEMBER 2008:
- Thursday 18th September 2008 at 7.00 pm - We will be practising music for the Nativity of the Mother of God and the Exaltation of the Cross
- OCTOBER 2008:
- Wednesday 22nd October 2008 at 7.00 pm - General rehearsal: the eight tones
- NOVEMBER 2008:
- Monday 10th November 2008 at 7.00 pm - General rehearsal
- DECEMBER 2008:
- Monday 8th December 2008 at 7.00 pm - We will be practising music for the Feast of St Nicholas
- Monday 29th December 2008 at 7.00 pm - We will be practising music for the Nativity
All rehearsals take place at Fr Stephen's home, 2 Bowness Ave, Oxford OX3 0AJ and refreshments will be provided. Our rehearsals are most effective when all of the singers are present, so please make time to come if you can!
If you've never sung with the choir before, please either make yourself known at the choir desk before or after any service, or simply come to one of the practices to be introduced to the choir.
