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VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINUM

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

SINGERS

at the church of

ST JOHN THE DIVINE
BROOKLANDS RD
SALE

(Promoting Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development)

PHILIP UNDERWOOD M.MUS. FRCO
(Director of Music)

O COME LET US SING UNTO THE LORD

OUR AIMS:

* To provide high quality music for the Sunday Services of Parish Eucharist 10.30am and Evensong 6.30pm.

* To sing Choral Evensong once a month.

* Special services affording greater scope for special music are presented at regular intervals.

* To perform a major choral work in the Autumn term and a choir concert in the Summer term.

* To sing in cathedrals.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

The choir is open to singers of all ages from seven upwards. Whilst the ability to read music and play an instrument is helpful it is by no means essential.
Enthusiasm and Commitment are the key attributes required. Members receive a modest payment.

LEVEL OF COMMITMENT:

Rehearsals are held prior to the services as follows:

The choir meets throughout the year with the following exceptions:

No Rehearsals During August
No Rehearsal on the Sundays after Christmas and Easter

The Choir attends additionally on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

There are Weddings throughout the year on Saturdays (optional attendance).

Singers are warmly invited to attend both morning and evening but may choose to attend one or the other.

Requests to be absent from rehearsals/services will be treated sympathetically.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:

For members in the 7- 16 age range, our work supports the following National Curriculum Objectives:

* Music:
Through performance, you will develop an understanding of a wide range of music from the 16th century to the present day including music in folk and popular styles. This encourages cultural development.

* Literacy:
You will learn to use specialist vocabulary.
You will sing music in foreign languages
You will learn to shape and project sentences forming vowels correctly.

* Personal Skills:
To succeed in a choir requires self-control, perseverance and concentration.
You will develop your interpersonal skills and take responsibility.

* Creativity
You will have the opportunity to write music for the choir and hear your work performed

* Regular and Structured Assessment
The church implements the RSCM chorister training scheme.
Time is set aside from 5.00pm - 5.20pm on a Sunday to prepare candidates for the different awards.

* Continuity of Experience
Above all, membership of a choir can be for life.

TO FIND OUT MORE:

I invite you to attend a rehearsal and service without obligation.

or

telephone me, Philip Underwood, on 0161 456 9037

PHILIP UNDERWOOD

Philip Underwood was born in Chester in 1957 and began his musical studies with R.A. Sutton, whilst a pupil at the King's School.

In 1976, he became a student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where his organ teachers included Ronald Frost and Gillian Weir. Whilst at the college, he gained the diplomas of FRCO, ARCM and GRNCM.

In 1991, Philip gained the degree of Master of Music at Liverpool University, following research into the History, Technique and Repertoire of the Organ from 1450. During this period, his organ teachers were Jennifer Bate and Terence Duffy. His finals culminated in a public recital at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

Philip's early career was spent in education, firstly as Organist and Choirmaster of Solihull School and subsequently as Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Worksop College.
In September 1987, Philip embarked on a new career as a performer and private teacher. From 1988 to 1997 he was Director of Music at Christ Church West Didsbury in Manchester. During this period he established an annual recital series including lecture/recital "Experiences" devoted to Bach, Franck and Mozart.

From 1991 - 1996 he was also part-time Head of Music at De La Salle Sixth Form College in Salford. It was during this period that his interest in composition began, thanks in part to access to modern music technology, with a work written for performance in the Cathedral of St Pol de Leon in Brittany. Since then, the majority of his compositions have been inspired by a particular venue.

In November 2000, Philip became Organist and Director of Music at St.John the Divine, Brooklands, Sale.

During the last ten years, Philip has performed extensively throughout Britain and abroad. Notable venues have included:

ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR ORGAN

ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS:

ARRANGEMENTS:
1989: Concerto in D for Lute Vivaldi
1998: Winter from "The 4 Seasons" Vivaldi
1999: Autumn and Spring from "The 4 Seasons" Vivaldi
2001: Summer from "The 4 Seasons" Vivaldi
2003: Movements from the suite "Pulcinella" Stravinsky

CONTACTS:
By Post: 28 Bracadale Drive, Davenport, Stockport, SK3 8RS
By telephone: 0161 456 9037
By email: UnderwoodMMus@aol.com