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
20th January 2010

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 celebrated the feast of SS. Peter and Paul on 28th June 2009 by singing at the 10.30am Mass as guests of Father Michael Jones and the parishioners of St. John Vianney, Bexleyheath. The choir celebrated its 40th Birthday with a sung Mass at St. Bartholomew's on Sunday 20th September 2009. It was delighted to be joined by St. Bartholomew's Orchestra for its traditional Christmas Concert in 2009. 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