A History of St. James' Church Choir

Music has always played an integral part of the worship at St James'. Written records from Parish Magazine from 1870 suggest that Rector Lionel Garnett encouraged music in church and the village, and with the support of Lucy Anne Ince of Christleton Hall, he created and financed two brass bands “to keep the youths occupied”. A fine new pipe organ was donated by Dr Fleming from Rowton Grange in 1876, which probably led to the formation of a choir of male choristers. With the appointment of Sam Earlam as Headteacher in 1890, music increased enormously with Concert Parties and Entertainments in both church and Boys School, (now the Parish Hall)

The first long serving organist and choirmaster was Freddy Finch, with a mixed choir of men and boys, and they sang at every Memorial Service for the men who fell in WWI. In the years between the wars we learn that George Guest was appointed organist at the Cathedral and at St James, and later his son, also George, took over. This second George was to become the eminent Dr George Guest, Organist and Choral Director at St John’s College Cambridge. One of his best friends was Cliff Boddy who sang in the church choir for over 79 years.

After WWII the choir developed as an all-male choir, with twelve adult choristers and up to 30 boy choristers aged 6-14, or until their voice broke. This was due to the encouragement of Rector Guest Williams, and later Canon Lawrie Skipper in the years 1966-72. The first organist in this period was John Reed, followed by Ronald Hugh Smith as Organist and Choirmaster in 1969. In addition to conducting many famous choral works at St James’, he also founded the Chester St Cecilia Singers who rehearsed and sang there, and brought many exchange-visit choirs to sing in the church. Ken Stark one of his lead tenor soloists later became organist and choirmaster. Rector Canon Charles Mack was appointed to the church in 1972, and he brought even more enthusiasm for choral music having been a choral scholar at Cambridge, and an excellent pianist and organist. He, together with Ronald Hugh Smith, promoted concerts including great choral works, and the choir was probably at its best during their days together. Works included Stainer’s “Crucifixion” and Handel’s “Saul” and “Messiah”
Many musical events were promoted in the church as part of the “Festival of British Villages in 1976, and as accompanist at the International Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod Ronald Hugh would invite choirs and dance groups from all over the world to perform in Christleton. Ron & his wife Pauline also took the choirboys on summer visits to The Isle of Man or North Wales, and encouraged teams from St James’ to participate in a Chester Churches Choir Boys Football League.

The Boys Choir seems to have ceased in the late 1970’s and a mixed SATB choir was formed. This usually consisted of about 30 members, with men, women, girls and occasionally young boys forming the choir which sang at the two Sunday Services, and on many ceremonial occasions, even radio broadcasts. When Rector Charles Mack died suddenly in 1986, his replacement, Rector, later, Archdeacon, David Garnett had a more liberal approach to music and founded a music group, often performing himself as cellist. The choir continued to sing four part harmony hymns and settings, but added more modern folk tunes/hymns to their repertoire. When Canon K Peter Lee became rector in the 1990’s both forms of music were encouraged and he attended every rehearsal himself contributing to the bass line, or leading the chanting in many formal service settings.

When Ron Smith retired, Bob Owens took over as the main organist for a number of years, and was followed by Ken Stark as Musical Director and Organist, but after his untimely death in 2002, Steve Roberts a music teacher, and professional conductor and musician was appointed as both Organist and Musical Director. He had a wealth of experience as conductor of the Mold Choral Society, The Dee & Alyn Gilbert Society, and director of the Chester College Cantamus Society. He took the choir to great heights, and they were much in demand to sing at Weddings and Concerts across the Chester District, even forming part of the backing chorus, for “Another kind of Magic” a pop concert celebrating the life of Freddie Mercury in Grosvenor Park with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the Chester Music Festival.

The choir under Steve Roberts performed The Sunday Service on Radio 4 and also featured on Radio Merseyside and several times on BBC TV’s Songs of Praise. They performed works such as Vivaldi ”Gloria”, Faure, “Requiem” and “Cantique de Jean Racine”. Haydn’s “St Nicholas Mass” Vaughan Williams “ Christmas Fantasia”, Stainer’s “Crucifixion” and choruses from Handel’s Messiah. They took part in Diocesan Music Festivals in Chester Cathedral, and were the guest choir at weddings at Plemstall Church, St. Bridget’s, West Kirby and St Mary’s Mold, as well as performing in Village Concerts and fund raising events at St. James, The Abbotts Well Hotel, and at the High School. The last major performance of this choir was to sing the anthem “Non Nobis Domine” from the film score of Henry V on Remembrance Day 2014. Several members of that choir achieved honours from the Royal School of Church Music. Senior Chorister, Charles Clubbe, Junior Chorister, Helen Strange, Cliff Boddy 79 years and Sid Hardy 40 years service as choristers. This was a very creative time in the life of St James’ Choir.

Subsequent events and the tragic effect of the worldwide covid pandemic has meant that the choir has struggled to function in recent years, but it is hoped that this is purely a temporary rest period, and the choir will soon return to lead the congregation in worship through choral music in the traditional way.