Mission and ministry to children and young people through traditional church music. Want to see many more children everywhere have the chance to grow in faith and become leaders in parish church music ministry. Building for the future in Swanage, Dorset.https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lnkrozeh722vIf you involve children and young people in church #music, or want to do so, join us in Dulwich on Saturday 28 June. A day of practical demonstrations, topic discussion, peer-to-peer mentoring and support. https://www.rscm.org.uk/events/young-voices-workshop-and-networking-dulwich/24 Apr 2025 13:08 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnkrozeh722vhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lmuhm4dtl22wGood to see the Church Times considers the launch of the RSCM Young Voices Toolkit to be front-page news. I agree! Let’s get more children everywhere leading church #music.15 Apr 2025 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmuhm4dtl22whttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3llxyixqjo227I think we know the answer to this one… #Church #music #Anglican #Evensong04 Apr 2025 08:24 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3llxyixqjo227https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lle3wtwm5c22The RSCM Young Voices Toolkit is already proving useful. This morning, someone contacted me for my thoughts on an aspect of starting a junior choir, and I was able to point to a page of the Toolkit. https://www.rscm.org.uk/young-voices-toolkit/27 Mar 2025 10:32 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lle3wtwm5c22https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3llbxhhwfps27I delighted that the Royal School of Church Music's 'Young Voices Toolkit' has gone live today. It's a fantastic new step by step guide with associated resources for any church seeking to reconnect with children and young people through #music. https://www.rscm.org.uk/young-voices-toolkit/26 Mar 2025 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3llbxhhwfps27https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lk765izxtk25If you are building a junior choir in your church, or want to do so, then join the new RSCM Young Voices Network on Facebook, to share experiences, gain inspiration and fresh ideas, and help deliver a resurgence in children leading #music in worship. https://facebook.com/groups/1593211064703951/12 Mar 2025 18:03 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk765izxtk25https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3liwirky7as2gTrad CofE church in 1980s: 'We need to lose the choir, because it's in the way of our drive to make the church more accessible to the young.' Choir: 'What about these 20 kids? In the choir stalls, every week'. Church: 'They don't count.' Church now: 'Where are the children?'.24 Feb 2025 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3liwirky7as2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lif53p2nv22vI'm delighted that we're taking seven of our choristers from St Mary's, Swanage to join with RSCM Voices West in singing Choral #Evensong in Wells Cathedral on 22 February. We are proud to be pioneers, as the RSCM explores how once more to involve young people in these events. [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Feb 2025 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lif53p2nv22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3li4wbg3rdk2gThe decline in young people singing in church choirs has been steep. But it’s not irreversible. With the inspiring initiative that the RSCM is about to launch, more of us will feel confident to do our bit to turn the tide. If not us, who? If not now, when? https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/14-february/news/uk/rscm-calls-for-action-to-keep-children-singing-in-church-choirs14 Feb 2025 09:47 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3li4wbg3rdk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3li33x6qf7s2qThis online event aims to encourage other people to try what I set out to do, and get children back into church choirs and leading #music in worship. We've assembled resources to support churches in this, and will introduce them on 2 April. Sign up here: https://www.rscm.org.uk/events/online-event-introducing-the-young-voices-toolkit/13 Feb 2025 16:23 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3li33x6qf7s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lhslsfv2v22pCan you help with this, @salisbury.anglican.org? Please repost. @jonathantriffitt.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Feb 2025 07:13 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhslsfv2v22phttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lhlqqsg75227Calling out to churches in the Salisbury Diocese. Which of you are successfully growing ministry among children and young people through music (choirs or otherwise)? Or who would like to do so but lacks resources or ideas? Get in touch if you are interested in sharing learning.07 Feb 2025 13:53 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhlqqsg75227https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lhh627qotc2wAs two more choristers receive their surplices, we celebrate the fresh approaches which have grown a faithful choir of 16 children. And from recent discussions it begins to feel as if this could be widespread. The message of #music as mission is hitting home. The Spirit is moving in the church.05 Feb 2025 18:07 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhh627qotc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lg6w5ju4hc24It’s great to see a schools singing programme led by a cathedral that doesn’t bypass the parish churches, but helps them connect musically to local schools. [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Jan 2025 17:59 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg6w5ju4hc24https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lg4ngfruqk27Eleven children singing Choral #Evensong with the adults tonight. Three months ago, that would have been unexpected. Two years ago it would have been a dream. Four years ago it would have been inconceivable. Just do it. Bit by bit. You can rebuild children’s involvement in church #music. Keep on.19 Jan 2025 20:18 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lg4ngfruqk27https://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lfq4aedal22nAre any church or chamber choirs which are planning a European visit this spring or summer short of an experienced and confident tenor/baritone? I was hoping to book a singing holiday but can’t find one that suits. Please spread the word.14 Jan 2025 20:38 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfq4aedal22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3ldykesvgus2xThe choir of St Mary’s, Swanage, ahead of our nine lessons and carols yesterday. Fourteen of our choristers joined the adults to make up a choir of 50. We are going to have to start thinking about reconfiguring the choir stalls to fit everyone in. Four more new choristers arriving in the new year!23 Dec 2024 18:22 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldykesvgus2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3ldwflqlrc22cTwo Christmases ago, only two of our current crop of under-14yo choristers were in the choir. This evening, 14 (out of a total of 15) sang to a packed church in our Town Carol Service. That’s how fast it can grow, if you provide the conditions and keep working at it. Church #music has a future.22 Dec 2024 21:51 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldwflqlrc22chttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3ldnmztyr3c2eQuick pitstop after an hour in a cold church, making up 15 folders for our junior choristers ahead of the Town Carol Service on Sunday. A reminder of the many unpaid hours church musicians put in over the official quota if they want to rebuild children’s involvement in #church #music.19 Dec 2024 10:11 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldnmztyr3c2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3ld4gbp6wrs2tPerhaps there's still time for me to go for FRCO after all.... [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Dec 2024 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ld4gbp6wrs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3ld3s2wx7mc2fI’m glad the term ‘tone deaf’ has been appropriated to mean an ill-judged comment, because in the music world it is one of the most inaccurately used terms. People often apply it to themselves because of something unkind someone once said to them. No-one should EVER use it in reference to a child.12 Dec 2024 07:53 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ld3s2wx7mc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lcy7fnwzws2hI wonder who Follower #600 will be…10 Dec 2024 21:41 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcy7fnwzws2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lcszym73ic2xThe safeguarding issue in the @churchofengland is not that individuals in parishes cannot deliver it. They can. It is that too often senior figures failed to act on reported incidents. It would be tragic if in response the Church made it even harder for us to work with children and young people.08 Dec 2024 20:21 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcszym73ic2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lcqoyvx4nc2nStill surprised that more people don’t get this. Or do they just not know how to go about it? Honestly, it ain’t rocket science. It can be done. [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Dec 2024 21:59 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcqoyvx4nc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lclkultmx22tNow that we have 15 choristers, some with a few years experience and some with just a month or so, we need a bit more structure to keep everyone motivated. Two more probationers will get their surplices in the new year, and all will start working towards awards which reflect their relative progress.05 Dec 2024 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lclkultmx22thttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lcckgn7go22aI have a sense of liberation after having conducted my last concert as a choral society director. Until I realise that today will largely be taken up with cleaning, packaging and posting orchestral parts, sending thank you emails and returning ten pieces of staging to school. #liberationpostponed02 Dec 2024 07:00 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcckgn7go22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lcb7sebqdc2aSixteen of my choristers turned up to sing in my final concert as conductor of the Purbeck Arts Choir last night. The baton is being passed in Swanage, in more ways than one.01 Dec 2024 18:17 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcb7sebqdc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lc3ma2otck2rTomorrow is my last ever (planned) choral society concert as conductor, after very nearly 40 years and only three permanent choirs. There’s a chance the programme might be slightly self-indulgent. Children and young people involved, including my 12yo daughter as a soloist.29 Nov 2024 12:43 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lc3ma2otck2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/choralwork.bsky.social/post/3lc3aana7i22vThere's this fallacy that some traditions of faith #music are more sincere, some more self-obsessed. No, that's just people. I've played in worship bands that fetishise the flanger, the mixing desk and the smoke machine, and sung in choirs which have praised God from the heart.29 Nov 2024 09:09 +0000at://did:plc:3mougofc3l2xtly6emuyraeu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lc3aana7i22v