St Mark’s Choir
Director of Music and Organist: Debbie Mitchell
Basses: 4
Tenors: 4
Contraltos: 3
Sopranos: 14
As at February 2011
Russell Shepherd - Organist at St Mark's Church 1946 - 1985
St Mark's Choir 1966
Music List from April 1967
St Mark's Choir in 1989
Taken in January 2009 when some of the Choir recorded Wedding Hymns for the Portsmouth Diocesan Website
Picture taken in September 2010 of choir with ever increaaing numbers
St Mark's Church celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Consecration and Dedication of the new buildiing on 10 October 2010.
A Gift Day and Musical Evening were held on Saturday 9 October and a Celebration Mass on Sunday 10 October 2010.
Former members of thet Choir and friends took part in the Concert and the Mass on the following day
SPECIAL ORGAN DAY
Saturday 1 October 2011
Eminent organist Paul Hale of Southwell Minister will be giving an Organ Recital at St Mark’s Church, Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth to mark the forthcoming 40th Anniversary of the installation of the organ.
The British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) has recognised this excellent instrument by holding a Study Day at the church on Saturday 1st October 2011 and the recital will be the culmination of this event. The organ is the largest and best neo-classical instrument in the Portsmouth diocese and has been awarded Grade I status.
The late Russell Shepherd, who was choir master and organist at the time, was the driving force for the installation and consulted with Hill, Norman and Beard organ builders to build this fine instrument with 3 manuals, pedal board and 25 speaking stops.
"RS" carried on the excellent choral tradition after his predecessor, Ernest Birch, in 1946 until his death in 1985. This day has been arranged by two of Russell’s choristers from the ‘60s, Andrew Wharton and Philip Drew, and the present choir will sing two pieces during the day which were specially commissioned for the organ in the ‘old’ and ‘new’ church.
The cost for the day is £18 which includes the Organ Recital, light refreshments and ploughman’s lunch. Full details and Booking Form (closing date 26.09.11) from Melvin Hughes 01737 241355 or email: biosmeetings@hotmail.co.uk . Alternatively, tickets for the recital only at 4pm by Paul Hale are £5 and can be obtained from Andy Wharton 023 9247 1114 or email: smbios@hotmail.co.uk or at the door.
Programme (Subject to Alteration)
10.20 Registration and coffee
10.50 Welcome to the church and parish by a member of staff
11.00 Re-planning the RFH organ and evaluating its impact after 50 years - William McVicker
12.00 Demonstration of organ & Brief history of St Mark's, its organs, organists and musical tradition – Philip Drew
12.45 Demonstration Piece sung by St Mark’s Choir accompanied on the organ
13.00 Lunch (and opportunity for attendees to try the organ)
14.00 The design philosophy and construction of the St Mark's organ with reference to other HNB work of the period - John Norman
14.45 Congregational singing of a hymn accompanied by the organ
14.50 Maintaining the instrument – Geoffrey Griffiths followed by Panel discussion on the St Mark’s organ and its effectiveness – All Speakers and Paul Hale
15.30 Tea
16.00 Organ Recital - Paul Hale (Organist of Southwell Minister)
