St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church, 159 Ellison Road, Streatham, London SW16 5DE

Welcome to the web pages of St. Bartholomew's Polyphony Choir

Mass Times

Last updated
23rd July 2010

Jos van der Kooy
Westerkerk, Amersterdam
Rheinberger
Cantilena from Organ Sonata No. 11 in D minor, Opus 148

"It is important to recognise dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate"
Pope Benedict XVI

Gillman Funeral Service
Our local Independent Family Funeral Directors

The outside of the Rose Window that appears on every page of this web site -
inside, the organ pipe-work sits each side of it in the Choir Gallery above the porch doors,
and the organ console faces forward beneath

The choir was founded in 1969 to provide four-part choral singing at a monthly high Mass on a Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church. It also sings on the major feasts and solemnities of the Church's liturgical year. In addition to these duties it also generally performs two choral concerts each year, one of which is the annual Christmas Carol Concert.

Its repertoire spans a period from 15th century polyphony to the output of living composers, with a very special affection for the English sacred music of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

The Choir has sung in both St. Peter's Basilica and the church of St. Ignatius in Rome, Florence Cathedral, St. George's Cathedral Southwark, Southwark Cathedral, Arundel Castle, and a number of churches in southern England.

The current membership of around 45 is mostly drawn from the London Borough of Lambeth, the London Borough of Croydon and the London Borough of Merton, all in south London.

The church is situated on the Norbury / Streatham border. Ample on-street parking is available around the church which is halfway between Norbury and Streatham Common railway stations. Buses 50, 109, 250, 255 and G1 stop nearby. See How to find us for more details.

Rehearsals take place every Tuesday evening (apart from during the school summer holidays) in the church from 8pm to 9.45pm.

There are currently no auditions, no subscription fees, and music is loaned free of charge. It welcomes members from mid-teens upwards to Freedom Pass holders! GCSE and A Level music students are able to gain formal accreditation for Group Music Making. The choir welcomes anyone of any religious denomination, or none, with a love of sacred choral music.

In addition to its music, the choir enjoys a happy social life, and, among other activities, sings each year as a visiting choir in another parish - The Choir sang at the 10:30 Mass on the 13th June 2010 at St. John Vianney, Bexleyheath. On 24th July 2010 we joined St. Bartholomew's Orchestra in a Concert at All Saints, Carshalton's Parish Church. Our annual Christmas Carol Concert in 2010 will take place in the church on Sunday 19th December at 7.30pm, once again with St. Bartholomew's Orchestra. For full details of the choir's forthcoming events see the Choir Diary.

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If, having looked at this web site, you feel you would like to know more about St. Bartholomew's Polyphony Choir, or any aspect of the Parish, then please go to the Contacts page and drop us a line.

The Polyphony Choir is appreciative of the support given to them by: Jupp Fine Jewellery 48 Bow Lane, London EC4M 9DL - Telephone: 020 7248 9003 30 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AA  -Telephone: 020 7583 4499 Click HERE to contact Jupp Fine Jewellery.

This page has received visitors since 11th March 2005