Music & Bells

The Choir

The parish is blessed with a strong choral tradition and our choirs – both the adult and youth choir – are integral to our church community and our worship. 

From September 2023, the adult choir will rehearse on Tuesday nights from 7-8.30pm, as well as singing every Sunday evening at the Choral VI service at St Giles’ Church. This includes monthly Choral Evensong and Choral Communion services, as well as special festival services – such as the traditional service of ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ just before Christmas. It also carries out an important ministry by singing at weddings and funerals, on request. The choir’s repertoire celebrates the rich heritage of the cathedral choral tradition, singing anthems, chants, communion settings and contemplative music dating from the medieval period to the present day.  

From September 2023, the youth and children’s choir will rehearse on Tuesdays from 6-6.45pm at St Giles’ Dell Centre. The youth and children’s choir is a community choir for young people aged 7-18, and is open to all, whether or not they are regular church members. Alongside making new friends and experiencing the joy of singing together, rehearsals are a chance for choir members develop their singing technique, music reading and aural skills in a relaxed and fun environment.

Additionally, young people aged 14-18 are invited to be part of a 'Young Leaders' programme. Everyone will still sing together at weekly rehearsals and - whilst we don't want to stop anyone in the older age group from just singing in the choir - we would like to encourage those who are willing to take on some additional responsibility.  This includes leading their own ‘team’ of younger singers, and assisting with tasks such as setting up chairs, taking the register and distributing music. For those taking a Duke of Edinburgh award, this meets the criteria for the ‘volunteering activity’.  

Older singers, who have good vocal and musical skills, will also be invited to sing with the parish choir on an occasional basis (though this is not mandatory). For some of these events, such as weddings and funerals, singers are paid a fee, which might be quite an incentive for some! This is excellent preparation for anyone considering a choral scholarship at university – and it is also a very good way to develop more advanced ear-training and sight singing skills, both of which are valuable for anyone taking GCSE or A-level music.  

The youth and children’s choir performs at termly concerts and combines with the adult choir to sing at special festival services, such as on Mothering Sunday. Its repertoire includes inspirational and sacred music in styles ranging from classical and folk music, to gospel and pop. 

We are always happy to welcome new singers. There are no auditions and there is no joining fee. For the adult choir, prior experience and an ability to read music is an advantage, but not essential. 

If you are interested in joining one of our choirs, please contact Esther Jones on esther.jones@ashteadparish.org

Bell Ringing at St Giles’

We have an active, friendly and capable band of ringers, The St Giles’ Society of Change Ringers.

We also ring for weddings, special occasions and at other times purely for enjoyment and to further our art.

If you are a ringer, or would like to learn to ring, please contact us.

Bell-ringing at St Giles’ has a long tradition. We know that St Giles’ had a peal of 6 bells that were cast in 1725 and that metal from three existing bells was in part used to make them. Our current peal of 8 bells were cast in 1873 and hung in a wooden frame. The Tenor is just under 13cwt.

In October 2007 the bells were overhauled by Nicholson Engineering. New bearings, new clapper bearings and new pulleys were fitted to all the bells and the hang and clapper throws of some bells adjusted to improve the striking. The Tenor was 1/8th turned. The bells are now a delight to ring. The previous major work on the bells was in 1961 when these same bells were taken away for tuning and then re-hung by Taylors in a new steel frame with new fittings. The ringers, The St Giles’ Society of Change Ringers, have successfully recruited and trained a number of new ringers in the last few years, numbers are healthy and individual and overall capability is increasing. The bells are rung for service twice on Sundays with Quarter Peals attempted normally on the first Sunday evening of the month. Thursday practices are well attended with regular visitors from neighbouring towers swelling our number and enabling plenty of support for the less experienced and the chance to stretch ourselves with various Surprise major methods.

The ringers are affiliated to both the Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and The Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers. Ashtead has long enjoyed a tradition of skilled ringing in the area and is popular with peal bands.

If you would like to find out more about bell ringing, please contact richardtrueman@btinternet.com or ringingmaster@ashteadparish.org