Our Lady and the English Martyrs,

Cambridge

Please click on one of the following:

Introduction.

Choral & Instrumental

The Organ

The Bells

Concerts

Organ Concerts

Contacts

Links

Introduction

Top of the Document

The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.

The Constitution on The Sacred Liturgy, Article 112

The Church makes uses of many signs and symbols to celebrate her faith - music being of pre-eminent importance. Sacred music is not to be seen merely as an adornment, but rather as a 'necessary' and 'integral' part of the liturgy. Its fundamental purpose in the community of faith is to glorify God and to sanctify the faithful. Its function is ministerial - music must serve and never dominate. At best it helps the assembly to pray more profoundly, and in doing so they enter into a deeper unity one with another, as together they celebrate the Mysteries of Jesus Christ and are joined to His perfect hymn of prayer and praise to the Father

Here at OLEM, music plays a valuable part in our liturgical celebrations. The musical treasury of the Church is preserved and cultivated by the regular singing of Gregorian chant, polyphony and music of the classical and romantic periods, through to the best of the contemporary. What follows is a description of the various choirs, instrumental and musical activities that contribute to the life of our parish and its liturgy. If you would like to become involved in one or more areas of the musical life of our parish, then do get in touch.

Top of the Document

Choral and Instrumental

Top of the Document

Music at OLEM

The Church of Our Lady & the English Martyrs promotes a comprehensive programme of music. Music plays an invaluable part in our liturgical celebrations. Alongside liturgical music, we promote a busy schedule of concerts and recitals throughout the year. There are all sorts of opportunities for members/newcomers to the parish including Cambridge University/Anglia Ruskin/school/college students to become involved in the musical life of the church as choral singers, cantors, instrumentalists and/or help with publicity and administration. The various choirs and instrumental groups are friendly and welcoming and all enjoy a good social life!

Music for the Sacred Liturgy

The Parish Choir

The choir leads the singing for the 10 45am Solemn Mass on Sunday mornings as well as the main Christmas and Easter liturgical celebrations. Many of the members sing in other chamber choirs in the city and some work in the music industry. Their repertoire consists of a wide number of the best choral/congregational settings by composers such as Cohn Mawby, Andrew Wright, David Hill and Malcolm Archer alongside hymns, chants and motets from Gregorian chant and polyphony to the contemporary. The choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 9.30am. Since being established in 1999, the choir has grown in strength and ability. They now sing Mass at Westminster Cathedral once a year, broadcast regularly for Sunday Worship live on BBC Radio 4 and together with the Latin Schola have recorded an acclaimed commercial CD of sacred music in honour of Pope John Paul II New members of the choir are always welcome following a painless audition. Sight-reading to a decent standard is important. The choir, like the Latin Schola, operates a rota system, so you simply sign up for the Sundays you are available to sing. For further details please contact the Director of Music

The Latin Schola

The Latin Schola sings the weekly Solemn Latin Mass on Sunday evenings at 6.15pm, following a rehearsal at 4.45pm. A wide range of music is performed, almost exclusively in Latin, and includes a substantial amount of Gregorian chant, polyphonic mass settings and motets by some of the great composers of sacred music i.e. Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria, Tallis and Byrd.

Many members of the choir are former university choral scholars and some sing in other fine choirs in the city and beyond. The choir operates a rota system that enables members to sign up for the Sundays they are available to sing. There is also a list of deputies - people who are willing to sing in the choir from time to time. Entrance to the choir is by audition and a high standard of sight reading is required. For further details please contact the Director of Music

Choral and Organ Scholarships

Four choral scholarships worth £500 per annum for full or part-time students at Cambridge University and/or Anglia Ruskin University are now available together with an organ scholarship for suitably qualified players. For further details please contact the Director of Music

Cantors

We would like to train more cantors to lead the singing at the Saturday 6pm Mass (First Mass of Sunday) and at the 9.30 am Sunday Family Mass. The cantor leads the congregation in the singing of the Gloria, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Don’t worry if you have never done anything like this before! Full tuition will be provided, just as long as you can sing in tune and read music to a decent standard. For further details please contact the Director of Music

Junior Choir

Two new choirs are soon to be established in the parish, one for children from 7 to 12 years and one from 13 to 18 years. There will also be opportunities for lessons in singing and musical theory for children as well as adults. Further details from the Director of Music

Five Alive Group

The Five Alive Group was founded in 1993 to provide contemporary music for the Sunday 5pm Mass. We are always keen to recruit new members - singers, guitarists, wind, brass, percussion etc. Rehearsals precede the Mass on Sunday afternoons at 4pm. We’re a group of varying musical skills, so the ability to read music is an asset, but by no means necessary. Further details from Joe Caprani joe.caprani@btinternet.com

Concerts and recordings

The church hosts many varied recitals and concerts throughout the year, and promotes an innovative music festival in early summer — Te Deum’ a festival of music in concert and liturgy. BBC Radio 4 broadcast Sunday Worship live from OLEM regularly featuring members of the two choirs. A commercial CD in honour the late Pope John Paul II has been recorded by the two choirs in collaboration with Hazard Chase Music Agency. Full details can be found on the CD website - www.petruscd.com

Music Staff

Nigel Kerry - Organist & Director of Music

Gregory Drott - Assistant Director of Music

Director of the Latin Scholar - David Allinson

Director of Five Alive Music Group - Joe Caprani

Music Department

The Rectory,

Hills Road,

Cambridge CB2 1JR

Tel: (direct) 01223 224854

Email: music@olem.org.uk

The Abbott & Smith Organ

Top of the Document

Click here for a view of the organ

Click here for a view of the organ keyboard

Renovated by Nicholson & Co (2002)

Specification of the Abbott & Smith Organ

GREAT ORGAN CHOIR ORGAN *ADDITIONS (2002)

Double Diapason 16 Open Diapason 8 Tuba 8 on Choir

Large Open Diapason 8 Violoncello 8 (unenclosed)

Small open Diapason 8 Clarabella 8 8 thumb pistons to Gt Organ

Doppel Flute 8 Dulciana 8 8 thumb pistons to Sw Organ

Principal 4 Lieblich Flute 4 8 thumb pistons to Ch Organ

Harmonic Flute 4 Piccolo 2 Reversible thumb pistons to

Fifteenth 2 Contra Fagotto (tc) 16 all unison couplers

Mixture 15.19.22 Clarinet 8 8 general thumb pistons:

Trumpet 8 *Tuba 8 96 levels of memory with

Clarion 4 Swell to Choir 16 divisional levels

Swell to Great Reversible toe pistons

Choir to Great Gt to Ped, Sw to Gt

Gt + Ped combs coupled

Gen on Sw toe pistons

SWELL ORGAN PEDAL ORGAN Setter Piston/Gen Cancel

Tuba blower on/off

Bourdon 16 Open Diapason 16

Open Diapason 8 Bourdon 16

Lieblich Gedeckt 8 Violoncello 8

Viola da Gamba 8 Trombone 16

Lieblich Gedeckt 8 Great to Pedal

Voix Celeste (tc) 8 Choir to Pedal

Principal 4 Swell to Pedal

Fifteenth 2

Mixture II 19.22

Double Trumpet 16

Horn 8

Oboe 8

Clarion 4

Tremulant

Super Octave

Top of the Document

'The pipe organ is to be held in high honour in the Latin Church as the traditional musical instrument, the sound of which has the power not only to add a wonderful splendour to the Church's ceremonies, but also to lift up men's minds in a remarkable way to God and things on high.'

Instruction on Music in the Sacred Liturgy V111. 62.

The Past ~ The three-manual Abbott & Smith organ was designed by the then University Professor of Music, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, a significant figure in English music as both composer and teacher. The year 2002 sees the 150th anniversary of his birth. The organ is an historic instrument and remains largely in it's original state, although electronic action and blowers have been installed.

In 1999 a report on the condition of the organ was commissioned. The report concluded that there was urgent need for repair and renovation of this fine instrument. The pipes were clogged with dust and dirt, electronic contacts were wearing out, the keys and stops were chipped and the wind chests beginning to split. The condition of the organ made it tricky to play and listeners were no longer able to appreciate it's true quality.

The organ would cost in the region of £750,000 to build today. A programme of renovation, preserving it's essential qualities, and enabling it to meet contemporary needs was devised, and the appeal for £120,000 was launched on Friday January 25th 2002. The organ builders Nicholson & Co of Malvern were awarded the contract for the work which included :-

· cleaning and the complete overhaul of the pipes

· renewing the swell, great and choir electric actions

· overhauling and restoring the wind chests

· upgrading the keyboards and console

· installing a new solo tuba stop on the choir division.

Work began on the organ in April 2002 and was completed by September. The organ’s pipe-work has been cleaned, sound boxes repaired; the instrument now has a new mechanism and electrical systems,

The console has been renovated with new keyboards and a new combination system, together with a new adjustable bench and mirror. The brand new solo Tuba has been installed thanks to a generous bequest from the Howe family.

The Bells

Top of the Document

The bells of OLEM are renown as one of the most celebrated in the ringing fraternity. The eight bells are rung by ringers from the Cambridge area (including the University Guild) for mid-week solemnities and weddings. If you would like further information please contact the Tower Captain, Paul Seaman via the Parish Office.

Concerts

When a concert is planned details will be published here

Top of the Document

All the events listed are subject to change.

Please check with the Music Office nearer the time of each event for programme and ticket details.

Our Lady & The English Martyrs

Catholic Rectory

Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JR

Tel : 01223 224854 (direct) Fax: 01223 224860

Email: music@olem.org.uk

Website : www.olem.org.uk

Top of the Document