CHORAL TRADITION:
Listen to Music
for the Triduum, choir and musicians
at our church, (page from Covid-19 restrictions on singing)
Choir - Our choir seeks new singers in all voices, especially
sopranos, to join their friendly & committed group. They sing at the 11am Solemn Mass on Sundays,
on Holy Days and at Choral Evening Prayer on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
Music ranges from Plainsong through Polyphony, to quality contemporary
music. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings. Basic sight-reading skills are
helpful but not essential. If you are open to developing your musical ability, vocal tuition forms part of rehearsals.
You don’t need to be a Catholic, there are already Christians of other denominations who are members.
They just ask you take on the ethos of what they do in leading music in worship.
If this interests you or someone you know, please speak to David after the
11am Mass or contact him via the parish office. Without parishioners & friends committing to this
valuable tradition it will disappear. Your choir needs YOU!
'Gaudete', The
Choir Association, welcomes new members to support the choir and music in
the parish.
Monthly Choral Evening Prayer - Usually 3rd Sunday, see newsletter for
dates.
"Singing must be regarded as an asset to any
celebration." ~ (The
Directory on Children’s Masses, 1973)
THE ORGAN:
The
Organ was built by Mr. George Tucker of the Octagon Organ Works,
Plymouth. The cost was £300 all of which had been fully
contributed. The formal opening of the Organ was on Tuesday the
23rd of September, 1884 when the congregation were all admitted by
ticket.
Specification:
SWELL: Violin Diapason,
8ft; Lieblick Gedact, 8ft; Dulciana, 8ft; Vox Angelica, 8ft;
Gemshorn, 4ft; Dulcet Mixture, 2 ranks; Horn, 8ft; Oboe,
8ft.
GREAT: Principal, 8ft;
Salicional, 8ft; Open Diapason, 8ft; Hohl Flute, 4ft; Harmonic
Flute, 4ft; Fifthteenth, 2ft; Lieblick Bbonvoon, 16ft; Clarionet,
8ft.
PEDAL: Bourdon, 16ft; Sub
Bass, 16ft;
COUPLERS: Great to Pedal;
Swell to Pedal; Swell to Great Octave; Swell to Great
Unison.
COMPOSITION PEDALS: Two acting on Swell
and two acting on the Great.
More
History:
From
1884 we had not found any record of whose care the Organ was in or
what was done to it until a tuning book dating from 1956, was
found. From 1956 to 1974, the Organ was in the care of HELE and Co.
Ltd., Plymouth. The Organ was then tuned four times a year. There
was an overhaul in about March 1967 and sometime around then, a new
pedalboard and balanced Swell Pedal were fitted.
From
1975, the Organ was in the care of Lance Foy, Truro. It was
tuned about three times a year until 1980. The Organ was damaged during the Church
redecoration in 1982, with pipes full of dirt and plaster. In April and May 1986, the Organ was
cleaned and overhauled and made more accessible for tuning and
repairs, at a cost of £3000
The
Organ underwent a major restoration by David Gridley in 2010. Some
photos are on our Gallery pages.
To be
continued.
Penzance Catholic Church website -
The Holy Family Parish > "music" < || sitemap
