St Peter’s Choir
About this week’s music
This week’s Mass setting is the Communion Service in D, by Kenneth Leighton (1929 – 1988). The anthem is by Tudor composer John Sheppard (c. 1515 – 1558), Libera Nos I & II.
Kenneth Leighton was a boy soprano at Wakefield Cathedral before studying counterpoint and composition in Oxford and Rome, where he was exposed to the more chromatic style of mid-century European music. His setting in D was written in unison with optional SATB voicing, giving it a versatility which allows it to be used by congregations alone, but which allowed for an increased richness when the four voices are added.
Like Thomas Tallis, John Sheppard was writing during the Tudor era, a time of great volatility and danger for church composers. His work is not as well known, partly because much of it existed only in manuscript form, and partly because Catholic repertoire was very much sidelined. His Libera Nos – a petition to for redemption and absolution, one of the antiphons for Trinity Sunday – are two pieces which form a paired whole. Both are based on the plainchant, with the second built around the harmonies he wrote for the chant in the first.
About the St Peter’s Choir
Founded in 1847, the choir of St Peter's Eastern Hill is one of the oldest continuing Anglican church choirs in Australia.
Music plays an important part in the liturgical life of St Peter’s, with the choir singing at High Mass on Sundays as well as regular Evensongs. Our repertoire ranges from Plainsong to more recent liturgical settings, with a range of familiar and lesser-known composers. We are particularly enjoying re-discovering English Communion settings of the late 19th and early 20th century, alongside the great Mass settings of the Renaissance.
Membership is made up of volunteers, professional musicians, and a quartet of Foundation Scholars who are studying singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The Church recently launched the music foundation to support this endeavour and to provide opportunities for young up-and-coming singers to develop their performance experience while contributing to our liturgy; if you would like more information about this, or to support this vital ministry, please contact the Director of Music, Christopher Watson.
Join the choir
The choir rehearses at 9 am for a 10.30 am service, with no mid-week rehearsal or other commitment. We encourage amateur singers who wish to sing regularly or occasionally to get in touch with our Director of Music, Christopher Watson, to arrange an audition.