Teme Valley South Churches Choir is celebrating its third anniversary this month and reflecting on the difference the choir has made to this rural church community. Feedback suggests as well as providing good quality music to bolster worship and congregations, it has also improved wellbeing for its members, deepened faith and bought the communities of Teme Valley South closer together.
The idea for the choir came out of a conversation between Julia Curtis and parishioner Chloe Evans about ensuring the health and sustainability of the churches so that they are there for these communities into the future.
At the time, Julia was being supported by a Mission Accompanier. Having a choir was discussed as part of their health and sustainability plan, and as a musician and composer Chloe had also suggested a choir, offering her time and talents to help create it. “Those two aims came together beautifully, the way God often ensures they do” says Julia. There are now 15 core members, they rehearse monthly and regularly visit all the churches in the parish, which covers a rural area from the communities of Shelsley Walsh and Rochford to Stoke Bliss. They perform both in and on the land outside the churches. They've performed at farms in the parish during the busy lambing season and most recently, at a Creationtide service at Hanley rectory (see video below).
Julia said: “Having the choir has done so much to bring people together from a wider area. People from the different communities in the parish have got to know each other much better. It has also deepened the faith of the members of the choir. Music sometimes works at a level that words don’t. The Holy Spirit moves people in a different way.”
One choir member, Kate, said: “Joining the choir has meant being in church more and re-connecting with God in a way I’m not sure would otherwise have happened. I’m very grateful for that, and the opportunity to learn and sing Evensong repertoire which was previously unknown to me. What beautiful ways we’ve developed to praise God through the ages.”
Music Director for the choir Chloe Evans studied music in London but grew up in the Teme Valley and has returned. She said: “It’s wonderful to work with people hidden through the hills. While I enjoyed my studies in London, it feels more like a family here, like one big team.”
“We’re bringing beautiful polyphonic music to this area with a varied repertoire from Thomas Tallis right up to the present day. Many of us live quite far from the nearest cities such as Worcester and Malvern so its great to be able to offer the chance to do this locally, especially for farmers or parents with young children in the area.”
Choir member Hilary added: “The choir makes a vital difference. It brings together a fundamental part of church which is the making of music with like-minded people. It enables us to connect and sing and enjoy one another’s company. I’ve made some brilliant friends here!”
The choir is looking for more members who enjoy singing from the Teme Valley area. If interested, please contact Chloe Evans via music.tvspcc@gamil.com to find out more.
