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 on a regular basis, either before the Saturday vigil or at a designated weekday evening.  These practices are essential to maintain our familiarity with the set texts, learn new repertoire and prepare for the 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.  St Nicholas Parish choir sings in two languages, English and Church Slavonic, so some familiarity - however basic- with the Russian alphabet is very useful. However, do not be put off if you cannot read Russian fluently; fluency comes with practice which can only be gained by singing in the choir!

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

• Thursday 26th January
  6.30pm until 8pm
  - rehearse music for pre-Lent and Lent

• Saturday 25th February
  9.30am to 1pm - CHOIR MORNING
  a chance to go through the tones, try out new music and practice our Slavonic!  Also a chance for us to discuss the choir generally.

• Saturday 24th March
  3pm - 5pm -  First practice of Holy Week music

• Thursay 5th March
  6.30pm to 8pm - Second practice of Holy Week music

• We will arrange our rehearsal(s) of music for Pascha nearer the time.

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.