Portlanders praise talented Easton church choir (From Thisisdorset)

Portlanders praise talented Easton church choir

10:00am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Latest By Hilda Swinney

Margaret Stone, left and the new All Saints Church choir on Portland

PORTLANDERS have been singing the praises of a church choir.

Choirs have come a long way since the days when being a member of a church choir in particular usually meant just a rehearsal of the hymns to be sung at the next service.

The popularity of choirs around the country is growing all the time.

Groups large and small have been joining together to sing in the Albert Hall and the military wives choir reached Christmas Number 1 in the charts.

These are choirs of ordinary people, many of whom have never sung before, who are being trained in a more extensive fashion.

They include the choir at All Saints Church in Easton who are working hard under choirmistress Margaret Stone.

At present, there are 11 members aged from eight to 60ish but there is no upper age limit.

The choir has been working hard over the past year, following the Royal School of Church Music training for the Voice for Life white level badge, which is the first award in the scheme.

This involves regular attendance at choir practice and church services, learning the dynamics of music, recognising notes within a chord and singing them, singing a solo, being able to listen to a rhythm and clap it back, singing scales and beginning to recognise certain notes.

Mrs Stone said: “Christmas was a very special time for us as the choir performed three short anthems and songs during the candlelit carol service and the midnight communion.

“During the communion, all the choir members were presented with their white badges, and their official certificates by Rev Margaret Cade.”

New members will be welcomed into the choir, whether or not they have any musical experience.

Choir practice is held at All Saints Church every Wednesday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. For more details contact Mrs Stone on 01305 826662.