Church Choir

St Bartholomew’s choir is a four part choir with a boys and girls treble line. Boys between the ages of 7 – 11, and Girls between the ages of 8 – 16 are welcome to join.
Most boys will continue until their voices break, and many go on to sing in the adult sections of the choir, and most girls continue to the age of 18. The choir sings two main services on a Sunday and sings at many special events such as carol services. The choir also undertakes cathedral tours and concerts.

 

The Director of Music

JoJoe Coopere Cooper was born in Wolverhampton where he attended St Peter’s Collegiate Choir and obtained the highest awards as a boy chorister and went on to be a lay clerk. He is now a deputy lay clerk at Lichfield Cathedral and currently studying Music at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Joe is well known in the area as a conductor and composer and is much in demand for his abilities across the city.

St Bartholomew’s – (01902) 576809
Joe Cooper – 07935 962677

   

Weekly Schedule


Tuesday: 6.30-8:30. Choristers Medal Training

Friday: 6:15-6:45. Probationers Practice

6:45-8:20. Choristers Practice

(7:45-9:00. Lay Clerks Practice)

Sunday: 9:30 Practice, 10:00 Service

5:45 Practice, 6:30 Service


We break up at half term and for a week after Christmas and a week after Easter. The choir break up for the summer holiday too but we sing away for a week for the summer tour. During this week we sing at one of the great cathedrals.
Recent tours have taken us to Gloucester, Exeter and Winchester, and this year we shall be singing the services at St. David’s Cathedral in Wales.
If your son or daughter would like further information about the choir or would like to arrange an informal audition contact the director of Music.

A choir, with this tradition, is unlike any other activity, as it is one of the only establishments where people between 8 – 80 can work towards the same goal. Most Children quickly find it becomes the focal point of their week, and it becomes the event where they meet up with friends, from many schools across the city. Regular social, leisure and sporting events are arranged, with the help of choir parents too.

Today children need every advantage when approaching higher education and St Bartholomew’s choir helps develop the skills of team work, self discipline, reading and social interaction. It instils achievement and gives one of the greatest musical educations for free.

We are affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music which give medals and awards to choristers that achieve high standards, various coloured ribbons reflect the child’s progress. The highest medals are presented at Lichfield Cathedral.

It is a great privilege for a child to sing in a choir such as St Bartholomew’s, and the education the child receives whilst singing most certainly outweighs the commitment. There are strong links with church secondary schools, such as St Peter’s school. Universities too recognise the skill of a chorister and it is a useful additive to any child’s personal statement, many offer choral scholarships too.

When a child first joins St Bartholomew’s choir they undertake a probationary period, this usually lasts a few months while the child settles in and develops musically. No musical experience is required we just like children to be enthusiastic and wanting to work in one of the most special groups in the country.

Choral Scholars
Positions are availiable for all voice parts (SATB) aimed at people between the ages of 16 – 25, in secondary schools or higher education. These posts are designed to train aspiring musicians and come with free extra vocal and piano/organ lessons. The posts pay £400 a year.
Lay Clerks
Altos, Tenors and Basses are always needed to sing in St. Bartholomew’s Choir. Many Parents of younger choristers join one of the adult sections of the choir and sing as a family within the choir. No experience is required, though we are keen to hear from people with some musical experience.