Our Choir Master is Peter Morgan

Organist is Ben Bailey

Practice on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

St Paul’s Choir

“A church or school without a choir is like a body without a soul. Singing lies at the heart of worship and education.”
Dr John Rutter, composer & conductor

Music has always been a central core to Christian worship and here at St. Paul’s we aim to carry on that tradition. The majority of the existing choir was formed out of a confirmation class. We have a small but enthusiastic band of people, and are very lucky to have both a Choir Director and an excellent Organist where most parish churches have to combine the two positions.

Peter Morgan, the current Choir Director, has a very strong background in church music. He became a boy chorister at age 7 in his local church in England. The choir he joined happened to be a Guild Choir of the Royal School of Church Music, just one of a hundred such choirs in the UK at the time. The choir was of the standard that it was expected to take the place of a Cathedral choir on occasion. His choir made a number of recordings and would go on tour every year at Easter week, singing at a different church each evening and finish the tour by singing at a Cathedral. His choir was invited to sing at the Royal Chapels in the Tower of London and at Windsor Castle.
With this strong background comes a determination to build up the spiritual and musical experience for both choir and congregation. This year the choir became associated with the RSCM and has implemented its training program called A Voice for Life.
Recently some members of St Paul’s choir were a part of the massed choir at the consecration of the new Bishop of Oklahoma. We are always looking for new members and would welcome anyone willing to come to choir practice on a Wednesday evening.

“Singing reaches the parts (body, heart, mind and spirit) which few others can – why not give it a try?”
Sir David Lumsden, The Royal Academy of Music

“When you enable a child to sing, you ensure him or her of a gift for life which can be used, free of charge, until the last breath. It is a talent which cannot be left buried, especially in the face of the one who expects us to ‘sing a new song’.”
Revd John Bell, Iona Community

St. Paul's Church is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, one of just five such choirs in Oklahoma. The RSCM was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, then Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. He saw that there was a great need in small parish churches for someone to give direction, guidance and support in their music making, and he resigned his position at the Abbey to institute the English School of Church Music. In 1945 the ESCM received its royal designation. Our patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The President is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The purpose of the RSCM is to improve the quality of worship, especially the choral singing in churches, and to provide training for those who lead music in worship. All of this is realized through workshops, choral festivals and the new training scheme, A Voice for Life.
The RSCM is now an international organization encompassing many faith traditions. There are over 7,000 church affiliations and 4,000 personal members. The training and publishing centre is located at Sarum College, England. Courses are set up at many centers and attract people from all over the world.
A voice for life.

This program assists the chorister in developing choral skills and teamwork with full participation in the liturgy on a weekly basis. Religious education is incorporated into the scheme and the choir receives a thorough understanding of the Christian Year.

Probationer: When new choristers join the choir, they wear just the robe in church, and they begin to get familiar with the liturgies. After a three-month probation period, when they have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the choir by attending rehearsals and services on a regular basis, they are made a full member of the choir, and are presented with their stole in a simple ceremony in church.

Junior Chorister (Light Blue Ribbon): After being admitted to the choir, the chorister begins working towards the Junior Chorister level. After some tests and memory work, the singer is promoted to Junior Chorister, and receives an RSCM badge with a light blue ribbon.

Senior Chorister (Dark Blue Ribbon): This level requires more training and religious education and upon completion of all requirements, the chorister is promoted and receives a dark blue ribbon attached to the choir badge.

Full Chorister (Red Ribbon): This is often the highest position of the scheme at the parish level and requires a deeper knowledge of repertoire and singing skills. The chorister is promoted and receives a red ribbon.

Advanced Full Chorister (Yellow Ribbon): This is the top level in the scheme and a chorister at this level could easily take over parts of choir practice and instruct all those at lower levels and would be expected to be able to lead the choir in all of its endeavors.