Preces and Responses

Description

These 3-part responses were written for the tenors and basses of St Stephen's Church, Canterbury. At St Stephen’s, Choral Evensong is sung each Sunday, and once a month by men's voices alone. Unlike most cathedrals, the alto line is provided by ladies voices at St Stephen's. We found the repertoire of music for just tenors and basses was relatively small, and so these responses were composed to fill that gap.

Each response begins with voices in unison was to ensure a good confident start, and there is a motivic and harmonic style that carries through the set. At St Stephen's we are fortunate to have a musical Priest-in-Charge, so the cantor part is a little more interesting than some. However, the cantor could intone the preces on a G if they preferred.

As well as being dedicated to the gentlemen of St Stephen's Church Choir, they are also dedicated to Marten Rogers. Marten sang with St Stephen's Choir for many years and was Churchwarden. Marten passed away on the day that these responses were completed.

There is currently no charge to download and use these Preces and Responses. If you would like to let me know that you’re using them then you could use the ‘contact’ link at the top of the page.