Music at St Michael's was conceived by Organist and Choirmaster, Kris Emmett, an experienced musician who has spent the last 16 years directing choirs and orchestras. Kris says, “Music at St Michael's is a sustainable community music endeavour in the heart of one of the 20% most underfunded neighbourhoods (UK Indices of Deprivation, 2019). The idea is that it is music in the community, for the community and led by the community.”
Kris set out the plan for Music at St Michael’s in stages. Stage one was to set up and establish an adult community robed choir. This is now well underway; the choir has singers, they have undertaken a number of performances in church and in the community and they now have their robes. Members range in age from their 20’s to their 70’s. Anyone over 18 can join, members don’t need to be able to read music, or audition. Everyone who joins is trained to a standard set out by the Royal School of Church Music through its Voice for Life scheme. Kris also offers choir members voice coaching lessons.
Twice a month the choir enhance the worship for the congregation at St Michael's, Yeovil, performing hymns and anthems tailored to the service. And there have been other blessings not anticipated when the idea for the choir was first conceived; one choir member who didn’t previously attend church has now become a Christian as a result of being in the choir and is thinking about taking his first communion.
Kris is not only delighted by the progress of the choir, he’s delighted by the work they’ve done with and for their community. “We are absolutely community focused. We've partnered up with our local Co-op Store to create a resilient arts organisation - they advertise us, put up posters, sell concert tickets and host us singing and in return we will make the church available for any of their community events.”
Through concerts and community links the choir have now exceeded their £3,000 launch target by a third, raising just over £4,000. This money has gone towards providing the choir with new robes, anthem books, hymn books, stationery, brand new RSCM folders and, RSCM membership. Follow the progress of the choir and Music at St Michael's on Facebook.