All Saints has a vibrant musical tradition extending back more than 50 years. Sunday services and feast days are led by a full choir and pipe organ, and music plays a prominent part in special events such as evensong and carol services. Brass and strings also feature from time to time.

There are many opportunities for you to become involved in the musical life of the parish.

Liturgical Music Schedule

The music list for September can be found here.

Contacts

Director of Music

Matthew Stuckings BA (Hons) BSc ANU
0404 136 959, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Organists

Les Davey BE, BEc, BMus, LTCL
02 6166 0342

Dr Gemma Dashwood OAM
0413 852 911

All Saints' Motet Choir

The motet choir sings most Sundays at the 9.30am high mass. A robed choir, it sings psalms, communion settings (congregational or choral), motets, and leads the congregation in a fine selection of hymns. The turnover of repertoire is fast so there's never a dull moment. The choir also enjoys an active social life, often meeting for dinner after rehearsals and coffee after services.

This choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6.30-7.30pm, and on Sundays at 9am. Though the choir is not formally auditioned, it is expected that its members have a basic familiarity with reading music, and a willingness to develop skills in reading music at sight, and tuneful ensemble singing.

The parish offers up to four auditioned choral scholarships of $1200 per annum to school or university students. Scholars provide musical and pastoral leadership in the choir, perform administrative tasks, and take an interest in wider parish life. For further information, please see the information sheet here, or contact the director of music.

Choral evensong

Once a month between April and September, on the fourth Sunday, the motet choir sings beautiful cathedral-style evening service of choral evensong, usually including a choral setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, an anthem, the responses, and several hymns.

Guest singers are welcome to come and sing evensong with the motet choir. It is especially great for people who don't "do" mornings! Rehearsals take place on the preceding Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm, and on the Sunday at 4pm for a 5pm service. Choristers are encouraged to bring academic hoods to wear with choir robes for this service.

Please contact the director of music for more information.

Why join a church choir?

The church environment is an excellent one in which to develop musical skills that are valuable far beyond the church context:

• Experience the thrill of singing great works of sacred music in the context for which they were written
• Develop sight-singing, vocal and ensemble skills in a supportive environment
• Discover the joy of the shared experience in making music in a group

All Saints is affiliated with the RSCM Australia (ACT Branch).

Music Fund

The music programme is generously supported by tax deductible donations to the music fund. Please contact the director of music for more information.

Concert venue

The church is also an ideal venue for concerts. Recent performances have been given by groups such as the Pocket Score Company, the Resonants, the Canberra Youth Choir, ANU Harp Ensemble, the Oriana Chorale, Lady's Mantle, the Monteverdi Allstars, and the University of Canberra Musical Society.

Groups interested in holding performances at All Saints should contact the Administrator, Elaine Jones, on 02 6248 7420.

Igitur Nos

Igitur Nos is a chamber choir which sings occasional services and concerts at All Saints, and is conducted by our director of music, Matthew Stuckings.