Music

The Parish Church of St. Mary, Shortlands aims to offer a variety of styles of worship, intended to meet the needs of the worshipping community of Shortlands and beyond. In response to this, we also encourage a diverse range of music to suit the style of worship each service provides.

Our Choir provides support for the congregation and clergy by leading the sung and spoken parts of our 10.30 am service. They also provide more elaborate music for our monthly Choral Evensong services (normally on the 3rd Sunday) and special services and Christmas and Easter.  The Choir has been affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music since 1955. 

We are always pleased to welcome new members, both adults (including students and sixth formers) and juniors (from age 7).  Choir Club meets from 7.00 - 8.00pm and the adults from 7.30 - 8.30pm on Thursdays in term time. If you would like further information, please contact our Director of Music and Organist, Canon Claire Tillotson.

Our instrumental and vocal Music Group provide leadership of worship songs at some less formal services such as our monthly Parade Service for uniformed organisations and our Evening Praise services. We take the best hymns and songs by contemporary writers and encourage all who are interested in using their musical talents as players and singers to express them in modern forms of worship. If you are interested in joining our music group, please contact the Parish Office at office@stmaryshortlands.church