CAPTION: The Choir Church has introduced Eucharist services to a local primary school
Choir Church at Devon School Equips Children Musically for Life and Worship
A Choir initiative which encourages children and young people to learn and develop musical skills has been flourishing throughout it’s first year of launching in a primary school in Devon,
St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy, in Exeter, began a Choir Church scheme in January 2024.
Choir Church is a national initiative, which was first planted in St George in the East Church, in East London. It is built around children’s choirs in schools, lead by their local churches, and was created as a model for new worshipping communities,.
It offers children and young people the opportunity to experience and learn musical excellence, whilst building relationships between the school and the church.
The Choir Church at St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy is run by Father Benjamin Rabjohns, the Team Rector of Heavitree and St Mary Steps.
The choir is led by Matthew Jeffrey, who is a Tenor Lay Vicar in Exeter Cathedral’s Choir.
The Choir Church is a weekly after school club which is held at the school, and is open to key stage two pupils (years three to six). It includes refreshments for the pupils to enjoy after their school day, a fun and interactive game, and then they begin a time of choir practise. Fifteen pupils currently attend each week.
Father Ben Rabjohns said, “the children enjoy the Choir Church, they get a sense of achievement out of it as they learn and develop their music knowledge, in a different place.”
“It’s a good way to deepen a relationship with the school, and to have a presence in the school on a regular basis to build a relationship between the school, the church and families.”
“Our hope is that Choir Church adds value to what the school is already doing. We hope that we can give pupils musical educational value too.”
As part of the scheme, Choir Church has introduced Eucharist services for the first time in St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy.
Over the festive season, the Choir Church held a Eucharist service which celebrated Christmas. The service included different Christmas carols and anthems that the choir performed, each with different parts to sing. In attendance were the children’s families, the school, and volunteers from the church who help with Choir Church.
The Choir Church at St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy has big plans for the year ahead. They hope to grow steadily in numbers and hope to introduce the children singing during church services as well as in the school’s eucharist services.
Karen Leach, who was the former Headteacher at St Michael’s before recently retiring, said, “The formation of our Choir Church has brought another dimension to our school vision of enriching lives and enabling children to flourish.
“For many years there had been discussion about how we could introduce a Eucharist service regularly into the school. The Choir Church format with it’s four aspects: Local School, Eucharist, Choral excellence and social justice enabled the ideal opportunity for exploring Christian practice and widening community participation in Christian worship.
“The children’s choir being led by an experienced chorister and with the opportunity to learn liturgical music in the choral tradition also enhancing the school tradition of equipping children musically for worship and life.
“Our hope, as a school team is that the congregation continues to build and that wider participation of the community will continue to grow.”
If you would like to find out more about Choir Church, click here.
