The director of music at St Mary’s Church in Swanage, Simon Lole is urging everyone to ‘Come and Sing’ again after Covid stopped everyone singing in public.
Due to the risk of increasing transmission of the virus, all choirs had to stop and church services weren’t allowed to have congregational singing at the start of the pandemic.
Simon Lole director of music at St Mary’s, also directed the music at the recent BBC’s Songs of Praise from Swanage
Restarting ‘Come and Sing’ evensong
With restrictions easing but sensible precautions continuing, Simon Lole is restarting his ‘Come and Sing’ evensong at St Mary’s Church on every third Sunday of the month, beginning at 4 pm on Sunday 19th September 2021.
Before lockdown, the service was attracting 60 to 70 people from across Purbeck, who wanted to sing but didn’t want a regular choir commitment.
This was boosted by visits from guest directors of music, allowing singers to learn from top professionals from across the country.
Aerial photograph of St Mary’s Church in Swanage
“There’s a great thirst for people wanting to sing again“
Simon said:
“Obviously after such a long break it may take a little bit of time to get started up again and so I’m looking to people in Swanage to spread the word, to encourage friends to come along and join us.
“I sense very much across the country and certainly in the Purbeck area, there’s a great thirst for people wanting to sing again and we’re delighted at St Mary’s that we’re able to offer this opportunity.”
Guest directors of music
Guest directors of music lined up for over the next year include Richard Tanner, director of music at Rugby School, David Bednall from Bristol Cathedral and Cathy Lamb from Lichfield Cathedral.
Come and Sing evensong at St Mary’s Church off Church Hill in Swanage starts at 4 pm with a rehearsal until 5.45 pm. There’s a break for refreshments and then everyone sings until 6.30 pm. There’s no regular commitment and people are asked to just turn up.
