From the website of Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society:

‘A programme of glorious French music by Gabriel Fauré and Louis Vierne. We are delighted to be joined by two local students as our soloists: Attia Law, our soprano soloist, is a pupil at Sheringham High School and also a member of the North Norfolk Youth Chorus based at Sheringham Little Theatre. Jack Woodward, a student at Cromer Academy will be the Baritone soloist.

One of the most popular works in the choral repertoire, first performed in 1888, Fauré wrote of his Requiem, “Everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem, which moreover is dominated from beginning to end by a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.”

Fauré was a precociously brilliant composer. By his late teens, he had already developed his own unique and utterly assured musical voice. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in his Cantique de Jean Racine. Composed in 1865, when Fauré was just twenty, it’s very much a precursor to the Requiem, with similarly lush, intense choral writing layered on top of sparse organ accompaniment. As with the Requiem, it takes a religious text as its inspiration – in this case, words by the French playwright Jean Racine.

Louis Vierne is best known for his organ works. However his Messe Solennelle, which was first performed at Saint-Sulpice in Paris in December 1901, is a wonderful choral piece. Although originally scored for two pipe organs, it was later adapted for a single organ, as most churches could not provide two such instruments.

Our image shows the great organ at Saint-Sulpice, where the mass was first performed.

Repertoire

Messe Solennelle – Louis Vierne

Cantique de Jean Racine – Gabriel Urbain Fauré

Requiem – Gabriel Urbain Fauré’

Tickets £15 (under 18’s Free) available from box office at Sheringham Little Theatre 01263 822347.

Our services include hymns, prayers and the sacrament of Holy Communion at a nave altar so that there are no steps to negotiate if you would like to receive it. Seated communion will be provided on request. You may come forward for a blessing if you prefer, or if you have not yet been baptised.

On the first Sunday of the month the service is more family friendly and less formal, for our younger friends.

Refreshments are served after the service if you would like to stay for a chat.

If you are unable to attend our service, a written Act of Worship and Message from the Minister is published every Sunday here on the website notices and on our Facebook Page for you to engage with wherever you are, whoever you are. They are also sent out by email on Sundays with our weekly newsletter. Do message us if you would like to receive them.

Every Monday morning, between 10am and 12 noon, the church hall is open if you would like to drop in for a cup of tea or coffee, maybe a biscuit, and a chat, our treat. You are welcome, whoever you are.

A fun time in the church for everyone with babies or toddlers.

Our choir practices on Wednesday evenings in the church hall. Trebles begin at 6.30pm and are joined by the adults at 7.00pm. Please contact us if you would like to join our church choir.

A quiet service, in traditional language, held in the church hall (attached to the church) every Thursday during colder months and in the main building during warmer months.

A service for the whole family, during which our young friends are involved.

There will be an address. Hymns and Holy Communion are included, which you may join in with if you wish. A blessing is offered for those who do not take communion.

We mark this important day with a special service of Holy Communion.

Come and enjoy the beauty and atmosphere of our lovely church, buy refreshments, and browse the stalls for a bargain, knowing that all proceeds will help to maintain the building.

We celebrate our Patronal Festival this morning with this special service which will include music, singing, and refreshments.