Music

Music plays a vital and developing part in the life and worship of the Parish of St. Martin and St. Paul Canterbury.

The Director of Music

Peter Litman joined the Parish in 2001. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Master's Degree in Choral Education. He is currently working towards a PhD in Choral Education. This year the Conservatorio de Lima conferred an Honorary DMus on Peter for his work in Choral Education and the teaching of Choral Conducting. He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Church Music of the Central School of Religion.

The Parish Choir

The Choir currently numbers 25 members. Choristers are drawn from the Parish, the local community and Canterbury Christ Church University, the main campus of which lies within the Parish. The Choir sings a variety of music ranging from congregational settings of the Eucharist to "cathedral" style settings of Evensong. The music programme, which is taken from a wide period of composition, ranges from plainsong through to contemporary music. The Choir Secretary is Sue Griffiths, tel 01227 760779

The Choir has sung Evensong twice at Rochester Cathedral and sang Evensong at Chichester Cathedral in July 2008. It also has formed part of the Canterbury Deanery Choir that has sung in Canterbury Cathedral. Additionally the Choir makes an annual pilgrimage to Ypres in Belgium where they sing Choral Evensong and provide the music for the very moving daily Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Rehearsals are on Friday evenings, 7.30 pm - 8.45 pm. New singers are always welcome: there may be an informal audition depending on your voice part. In the first instance please contact the Director of Music, either by telephing 07870 742644 or emailing plitman@ioe.ac.uk

St. Martin's Church

On the first Sunday of every month the 9.00 am Prayer Book Eucharist with an Anthem is normally sung by a quartet of singers, specialising in Renaissance settings and Merbecke.

The Organs

St. Martin's has an early 20th Century two-manual Walker pipe organ, a classical instrument consisting of bright flue work.

St. Paul's has a fine 1900 Forster and Andrew's Pipe Organ, currently being restored by Browne & Sons. The instrument has solid foundations and bright strong reeds and is a popular instrument for recitals. The instrument has been installed in a prime position, which allows the organ to speak freely into the church.

The current specification of the St Paul' Church Organ is:

© PCC St Martin's and St Paul's Canterbury 2008