It was a harmonious sharing of musical gifts as neighbouring parishes from the north of the diocese recently came together in joyful fellowship to celebrate Harvest Choral Evensong.
Choristers from five churches across the newly formed Soar Valley Minster Community blended to form a choir for the special service at St Andrew’s Church in Kegworth.
Under the direction of Simon Headley, Organist and Director of Music at All Saints with Holy Trinity Loughborough, with Angus McKechnie from Quorn Church at the organ, the choir sang Stanford’s Evening Service in B-flat, Smith Reponses, Psalm 65 and John Rutter’s anthem ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’, along with popular Harvest hymns for all to sing.
This joint service was a ‘Come and Sing’ event with 25 singers from churches across the Minister Community taking part. They rehearsed together for over an hour before enjoying pre-service refreshments.
Attended by the Minster Community’s congregations and supporters, the service was taken by Tim Aldsworth, who is a Reader within the benefice, with Revd Emily Sharman leading the prayers.
Participants shared reflections such as, “singing with others was very special,” and “I hope we can get to do it all again sometime.” In response to this enthusiasm, plans are already underway to hold similar services at other churches across the Minster Community at different times of the year.
Simon Headley said: “It was wonderful to be able to come together to sing at Kegworth and fill their choir stalls for this Harvest Celebration. We had a core group of singers from Quorn and Loughborough, which meant that anyone else could join in and know that they wouldn’t be on their own.”
It is hoped that future ‘Come and Sing’ events will enable more people to experience the beauty of choral music in worship.
Jean Hayes, churchwarden at Kegworth, added: “It was a pleasure to host such a joyful Harvest Choral Evensong. Our church has a history of music that has sadly declined, and it was good to hear a large choir sing there again. The number of singers was matched by a very appreciative congregation.”
The launch service for Soar Valley Minster Community will take place on the evening of Thursday 20 November, at Barrow upon Soar Parish Church.