Welcome to the St Mungo Singers. We do hope you enjoy being a member of the choir.
BACKGROUND The St Mungo Singers was founded to promote the development of good liturgical music and practice in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and to provide an opportunity for singers to enjoy music. Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick, Dr Noel Donnelly and Dr Elaine Moohan are the Musical Directors. Jane McKenna is the organist.
The St Mungo Singers has a history of supporting and leading a wide variety of events in three main areas, Archdiocese of Glasgow, Ecumenism through Glasgow Churches Together (GCT), and civic religious events through Glasgow City Council. Last year we enjoyed working with Glasgow Churches Together, with some of the Iona Community at the Malawi Vespers; with the South Side Fiddlers, the Salvation Army, St Patrick’s Primary, St Timothy’s Primary, the Dance School of Scotland, Pipers, Harpists and instrumentalists, the Scottish Asian Christian Fellowship and a group of dancers from the Afro Scottish Group at events in Glasgow Cathedral, St Andrew’s Cathedral, the City Chambers, the Mitchell Library, George Square, the Silverburn Shopping Centre …. This is just a small example of the breadth of involvement the choir has in Church and City life in Glasgow. However the choir travels much farther afield both in Britain and foreign countries including Whithorn, Lochgilphead, York, the Holy Land, Rome, Ireland, Salamanca, Malta – and next year Poland.
REHEARSALS Rehearsals take place weekly on Sundays 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm in St Leo the Great. Please ensure you arrive by 6.45 in order that we can start promptly.
All rehearsals are recorded. They are very important. If you are unable to attend please let your music distributor know.
NEW MEMBERS and REGISTRATION New members should be introduced to Fr Gerry. They should then collect a Registration form and welcome package from Mary Bradley. A voice test will be carried out by Noel or Elaine. Elspeth, will then allocate a seat and introduce the person to her music distributor. Their contact details will be given to the appropriate music distributor. Registration cards with personal details will be kept in the office, and updated every year. If any of your details change please inform Mary Bradley immediately.
FEES The Membership Fee is £20 payable by December. Fees are collected by the following people: BRIDGET – ALTOS CATRINE – SOPRANOS NICK – TENORS DOUGIE – BASSES STANDARD MUSIC Golden Book, The New Church Anthem Book, and the Bob Chilcott Anthem Book. Additional music will be distributed by your music distributor, who will also keep a record of attendance. If you are unable to attend rehearsals please notify your music distributor. People with particular difficulties regarding attendance should speak to Fr Gerry.
UNIFORM WOMEN: Black blouses, black skirt or trousers, black tights and shoes and City of Glasgow tartan scarves. On occasion white blouses may be requested, you will be informed in advance of any changes. Remember that some churches and venues can be cold therefore you should take a jacket or cardigan the same colour as the blouse i.e. black or white. MEN: White shirts, black trousers and shoes and City of Glasgow tartan ties, jackets, if worn, should be black.
Scarves and ties can be purchased from Glasgow Museum Gift Shops, or see Elspeth.
SEATING AT EVENTS When singing at other venues it will not always be possible to sit in the row or position you have been allocated for rehearsals. We do not know the seating plan prior to the event therefore it may take several moves before the choir is seated appropriately. Your co-operation is required, if you are unable to attend an event PLEASE LET YOUR MUSIC DISTRIBUTOR KNOW.
Any gaps in seating will be filled 15 minutes before the event starts, if you arrive after this you will have to sit where a position is available. Please remember that your voice is still important no matter where you sit, and you may also enjoy the opportunity to get to know someone else!!
FUND RAISING Membership fees do not cover all of the choir costs. To assist with additional costs it is necessary to raise funds. St Mungo Music is the publishing arm of the Archdiocesan Music Committee. Books and CD’s are on sale to subsidise music. Remember that rehearsals are recorded and these are used for the CDs which we hope you will buy.
Further information can be found on the website: stmungomusic.org.uk
We hope you find this information helpful and that you feel you are part of something that is worthwhile, enjoyable and supportive to others.
Social Committee Elspeth Glasgow (Chair person), Mary Bradley(Secretary), Bridget Devlin, Gerry Healy, Catrine Kerr, Maureen McGarry, Nick McGarry, Ellen MacLeod, Anne Marie Martin, Ann Millar, Dougie Millar, Nancy Scott.
Useful Contacts Fr Gerry Fitzpatrick 0141 427 0293
Voice Check Noel Donnelly or Elaine Moohan
Registration Mary Bradley 0141 427 6740
Seating Elspeth Glasgow 0141 332 4824
Treasurer Grace Buckley 0141 427 7646