Music and concerts

The choir

Choral music is a vital and valued part of the life of our church. The choir sings at the Sung Family Mass each Sunday and for a service of Choral Evensong, usually on the first Sunday of the month. They also sing for weekday services such as Ash Wednesday, through Holy Week, and for carol services in Advent and at Christmas.

They are a friendly, dedicated and talented group of voluntary singers drawn together by a love of singing sacred music in its liturgical context. New singers are welcome — to find out more, contact the Director of Music through the parish office.

The organ

In 1521 Stephen Colman left the residue of his goods towards the purchase of a “payre of organys”, and by 1552 they appear in the inventory of the church goods. When the church was taken down in 1774 arrangements were made for the organ’s safe custody, and around 1790 Samuel Spencer presented the church with a much larger instrument.

That was later replaced by another, erected by public subscription, which stood like its two predecessors in the western gallery until the gallery was removed in 1881. A new organ was then built by Brindley & Foster and placed in the northern transept of the new chancel. In 1952 it was enlarged and divided by Spurden Rutt & Co, with pipework added in the south gallery and electric action throughout.

Concerts at St Mary’s

The building is a fine space to perform in and is used throughout the year by ensembles from across south London. Recent performers have included:

• St Mary's CE Primary School
• St Saviour's RC Primary School
• Astri Vocal Quartet
• Beckenham Youth Voices
• Hither Green Community Choir
• The Elm Singers
• Lewisham Choral Society
• Tongue and Groove Choir
• The Sonnet Wind Orchestra
• Crofton Brass
• Bonhoeffer Recorders
• Royal Greenwich Brass Band
• Lambeth Wind Quintet
• Lewisham Concert Band
• Harmony Symphonia
• Ensemble Tramontana

If you would like to hire the church for a concert, write to [email protected].