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. To facilitate singing amongst all the faithful, you can 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 if you require any additional information. 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

MARCH 2010:

• Friday 26th March:  19.15  - 21 .00 pm 
  after the service of Matins.
  
  This rehearsal will take place at Fr Stephen's home,
  2 Bowness Ave, Oxford OX3 0AJ and some refreshments will be provided.
  

APRIL 2010:

• Friday 2nd April:  12:30 - 13:30
  GOOD FRIDAY
  
  This rehearsal will take place at St. Anthony of Padua's Church Hall, Headley Way (next to the main entrance to the John Radcliffe hospital) before the Service of  Vespers and Carrying Out of the Winding Sheet at 14:00 hrs.

These rehearsals are crucial in ensuring that the choir makes a worthy contribution to the celebration of the Holy Week and Pascha. All our rehearsals are most effective when all of the singers are present, so please make every effort to come!

If you've never sung with the choir before, please either make yourself known at the kliros before or after any service, or simply come to one of the practices to be introduced to the choir.