Evensong, plain chant, Motets, Taize chants, folk hymns.
Who doesn’t love beautiful singing? Hearing lovely music encourages us to slow down, bringing a longed for sense of peace in a busy non-stop world.

We’re blessed at Sacred Heart Church in Teddington to have two vibrant, diverse yet complimentary choirs to provide beautiful music and singing to accompany the liturgy.  “I can be moved almost to tears” says Parish Priest Fr Reg Dunkling, of the singing.
The choirs take this as a compliment!

maSH music at Sacred Heart,  choir is a 10 or so strong folk based choir with wonderfully skilled musicians playing guitars, keyboards, & violins.
maSH accompanies the 9:30am family Mass on Sunday.
They are led by Maria O’Brien.

maSH Group Leader Maria O’Brien

Coming soon, a few select pieces from “Mish Mash!!!,” maSH choir’s own published cd.

Along more traditional notes, The Sacred Heart choir, (affectionately known as the “Sister Act” choir)  is also 10 strong (4 sopranos, 2 altos, 2 tenors and 2 bases, and as with maSH, are always keen to welcome more). The choir is accompanied by the church organ, ably played by lifelong parishioner and organist Brenda Clements.

Sacred Heart Church Teddington Organist Brenda Clements.

They like to sing classical  music including Latin Motets and pieces by Tallis, Mozart, Schubert as well as more recent, but equally uplifting, Taizé chants along with traditional hymns. The Sacred Heart choir accompanies the 11:15am mass on Sunday. It is led by John Francis. There is a part-Latin sung Mass twice every month, on the 2nd as well as the 4th (n.b not always the last) Sunday in the month. 

Here is a quick snippet: Sacred Heart Church choir singing
Vidi Aquam “I saw water” from Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday, Easter 2013.

We sing at different services, and so practice separately, but both choirs enjoy every opportunity to hear to each other sing. They come together for the annual Churches Together in Teddington choir singing event.  This is the only chance (that we know of) to hear many of the local Teddington church choirs sing together in one place.  If you love church singing, its a great introduction to church singing in Teddington. More details available when we know the event dates for 2017.

Thinking of joining a choir? Come along to one of the masses, listen and after the service have a word with Brenda Clements (organist), John Francis (for Sacred Heart Choir)  or Maria O’Brien (for maSH choir).

Pope Francis greets his people. Onlookers said he gave some the “thumbs up” sign as he ushered in a more down to earth style. Picture: EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

Our new Pope toured a packed St Peter’s square in an open top jeep, prior to his inauguration Mass on Tuesday 19th. He signaled his wish to get closer to his people, swapping the traditional bullet proof popemobile for an open-top jeep, descending from it to bless members of the crowd behind the barriers.   “All I ask of you is: Pray for me,” he told the crowd of 500,000 worshippers.

In his Inauguration Mass homily, he called on global leaders and all the people of the world to defend the poor and the weak, who he said are “often the last we think about”.