Choir and Music

When we are able to hold the 10.30am services in church on Sundays the choir will provide music for our worship.

A Christmassy Recording

Here is St Andrew's Choir singing Once in Royal David's City for our Carol Service on 20 December 2020. The wonderful solo is by Peter Sharman.

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Music Group Recordings

Thank you to our St Andrew's Music Group for recording some hymns to be used with our Zoom worship. You can listen to them here:

Holy spirit, living breath of God.mp3 St Andrew's Music Group,
Come down, O love divine.mp3 St Andrew's Music Group,

Arrangements: St Andrew's Music Group
Producer, keyboards, flute, backing vocals: Katie Seaton
Guitar, vocals, cajon: John Wacher
Viola, backing vocals: Jane Eldred
Vocals: Maria Henriksson-Bell

Come down, O love divine: Music - Vaughan Williams; Translation - Richard F Littledale.
Holy spirit, living breath of God: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

St Andrew’s Choir under lockdown!

April 2020: From our Musical Director, Jane Eldred

ChoirPhoto030716crop

So far, for me personally, the worst week in the progress of the pandemic was the week beginning 16 March, especially the first three days when I received a deluge of emails cancelling all the musical activities I normally do, church services were completely suspended and we received notice that schools would close on the Friday. Feelings of shock and almost bereavement ensued, I’m sure felt by everyone. And I could not hold a choir practice that week, even just for the trebles.

Zoom is in the room...
It was really remarkable how quickly everyone started to think of ways the situation could be mitigated, and how speedily we all turned to technical solutions. I was way behind on the tech and it has been a steep learning curve, but now I find it hard to believe that on 16 March I had never heard of Zoom! Within a week of the cancelled choir practice I had downloaded it, practised using it, and had a virtual birthday meeting with my family on it! I was ready for virtual choir practice!

Choir practice without leaving the house...
So, I sent out the link and waited to see whether anyone would ‘tune in’. Lo, at 7.00pm on Friday 27 March most of St Andrew’s choir appeared on my screen in their little windows! It was so lovely to see everyone and they seemed very happy to have something to do on Friday evenings and to just connect. And they have been keen to carry on through the school holidays, so we have had four practices at the time of writing. Of course, it’s not like a Zoom logo

live practice – I have had to get to grips with the muting/unmuting, sharing screens so everyone can see the music and words and doing my own piano accompaniment, which, as the choir knows, is a challenge for me! And the singers can only hear me and Colin and themselves when they sing along – and I can’t hear them. But I’m sure they are note-perfect! Sound quality has been a bit of an issue but I think I have worked out ways of making it a bit better.

Recording layers of harmony...
Another skill I have learned is the use of software allowing me to record multi-tracks, so Colin (whose assistance has been invaluable – thanks, husband) and I have been able to record things in 4 and 5 parts between us. I’ve sent these to the choir as study aids but they are also available to listen to here. The recordings below include the anthem that would have been sung on Easter Sunday (The angel rolled that stone away), plus some others. Christ the Lord is risen again is the anthem we might have sung on the Sunday after Easter.

Easter Music recorded by Jane and Colin Eldred

This joyful Eastertide.mp3 Jane and Colin Eldred,
Christ the Lord is risen again!.mp3 Jane and Colin Eldred,
O nata lux - Tallis.mp3 Jane and Colin Eldred,
The angel rolled that stone away.mp3 Jane and Colin Eldred,

At the time of writing, I’m some way off being able to do those clever split-screen recordings you see on social media etc – but in the fullness of time we might be able to do a remote choir recording, maybe! I’m also aware that there are those who don’t have the technical means to join us on a Friday. If there is anything musical I can do to help you feel connected please do let me know. For example, we did record a Love Hymns request and sent it to the person concerned. We’d be very happy to do some more of those - just ask. Also, if you don’t normally sing in the choir but would like to try out a Zoom practice, please email me and I’ll send you the link, or phone me. I send all the materials out before the practice by email. Singing is good for the soul!

Jane’s contact details:

Email: jane.eldred.viola@gmail.com
Tel: 01992 503658
Mob: 07900 144010

Here is a little information about what you can expect under 'normal' circumstances!
Our Choir provide musical leadership and an anthem for the Sunday morning Eucharist on all Sundays except the second Sunday in the month, when for the All-Age Service we have a music group (usually consisting of flutes, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, string bass and piano).

While we use a good deal of “traditional” church music, both for congregational hymns and anthems, we do include modern worship songs and hymns as well. During Advent we use Celtic-style services which make more use of the piano and unaccompanied singing.

St Andrew’s Church Choir is always keen to welcome new members of any age (from 7 to 107!) who will be committed to singing with us. We rehearse every Friday during term time in the church (Junior Choir from 7pm to 8pm; Adult Choir from 7.30pm to 9pm). We sing most Sunday mornings and at occasional special services.

For more details contact the Musical Director, Jane Eldred: 01992 503658

The young choir members up front...

Organ

All-Age Service - Music Group

Selected choir members at Southwark Cathedral in 2009.

Choir - Southwark

Love hymn

Do you have a favourite hymn that we haven’t sung at church lately? One that means something special to you? One you would like sung on a special occasion? Alan and Jane have always welcomed suggestions as to which hymns they choose, but now it is even easier to make your choice known to them. At the back of the church (on the back pew in the nave) is a slip on which to write your choice (it doesn’t matter which hymn book it comes from) together with a ‘Love Hymn’ box to drop them in. You may also email your request to Rev. Alan Stewart (h.alanstewart1@gmail.com).

Hello and welcome to St Andrew's. If you are new, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

'I'm New' Click here

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning. During the period of Covid-19, please see the information at the bottom of this page.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details below) for our main Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you find a parking space and can settle in before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome Badge.

Plan your journey:
Unfortunately, St Andrew's does not have its own carpark. However, there is a council-run pay and display carpark a short distance along St Andrew Street, to the east of the church - there is no charge for parking in this carpark on Sundays, but please check for charges on other days.

This is a useful East Herts Council website page for full details of parking in Hertford.

There are single yellow lines outside the church with parking restrictions, but some 30-minute parking bays are situated on the opposite side of the road for short stays (longer on Sundays).

Open Google Maps

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet towards the back of the church, behind the kitchen.

Our Service

The service will usually begin promptly at 10.30am and will last between 60 and 75 minutes. We enjoy the presence of an excellent choir who help us sing hymns (modern and traditional) as well as provide anthems and special songs through the period of communion. We have a traditional organ but also benefit from music played on the piano and by our band (eg on the Second Sunday of each month when we have an All-Age Service in which our children and young people are fully involved).

Each 10.30am service includes a sermon, prayers and eucharist.

After the service, everyone is invited for coffee and conversation - some like to stay for a quick chat while others remain in the church for a longer time.

Communion

Children and Young People

We have a great programme lined up for our children. This is organised by our Family, Children and Youth Worker, Tracy Plumpton, who is always delighted to welcome new faces. Those arriving before their first service at St Andrew’s can ask to see Tracy or one of the other leaders.

We really value worshipping God together as a family, so children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service before being invited to leave for the age appropriate activities after the first hymn. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The children and young people then return to the main service in time to join the eucharist and, if confirmed, take Holy Communion or, if not, receive a blessing.

There is a Children's Corner in church where you can go at any time. You will find books, toys and drawing materials there.

Toilet and baby-change facilities are located at the back of church, behind the kitchen.

Junior Church celebration

Getting Connected

Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week. Check out Home Groups on our website and see if there’s one that you could join. Alternatively, speak to a member of the Welcome Team who will give you the information that you need.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. Please contact Phil in the Church Office.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING COVID-19:

What we describe above reflects our normal practice on Sunday mornings. However, since March 2020 we have had to adopt new ways of organising ourselves. For up-to-date information about current services (in church and online via Zoom), please look at details on our Worship and Prayer Page and note that when we're able to worship inside the church building, we ask you to book places at our 10.30am Sunday Service in church (book here). Everyone entering the church is asked to wear a face covering (don’t worry if you forget, we have a supply by the entrance door!).

Get in touch with us

If you have any questions, please do get in touch. You'll find our contact details here.

We hope that you will feel at home at our church.