Music that stirs the soul … offering Choral Singing to everyone in the Diocese of Manchester
Sing my Soul is an innovative approach to church growth that aims to reach people through the power of music. The Diocese of Manchester and St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London are working together to bring beautifully inspiring music to local churches.
Supported by the Church of England's Strategic Development Funding, new community choirs and children's choirs are being set up, giving everyone with a passion for music the chance to take part.
Alongside this, through a choral scholarship programme, aspiring singers who are considering making a career in church and choral music from the Manchester area will receive intensive training over a nine-month period, as well as practical experience in singing in services and other events. During this time, they will also lead Great Sacred Music at three host churches, and beyond, offering cultural and spiritual enrichment to their local communities.
This project will also support the future of music in the church more widely, through the appointment of three Associate Choral Leaders, to lead on the creation the new community choir and children’s choirs, as well as receive training from the music team at St Martin’s.
Music is at the heart of this work; it refreshes and inspires our souls, strengthens our faith and reminds us of our connection to the divine.
Churches offering choral singing with Sing my Soul
The following churches are confirmed as hosting Sing my Soul in 2024/25:
- St Stephen's, Audenshaw
- Oldham Parish Church
- St Pauls, Withington
All are invited to attend Great Sacred Music, or join some of the new choirs and music activities being formed. Details of upcoming services are listed here.
Our Choral Scholarships
St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Diocese of Manchester are working together on a stimulating new choral scholarship programme for 2024-25, based at St Paul’s Church, Withington in South Manchester. Applications are now closed for this year, and will reopen in Spring 2025.
Associate Choral Leader Programme
St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Diocese of Manchester are have created a new choral leadership programme for 2024-25. As part of the St Martin’s Associate Choral Leader scheme, this new training programme provides an opportunity for three emerging choral conductors or vocal leaders to help establish new musical initiatives in the Diocese of Manchester whilst being offered regular intensive support and training with the music team at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
Applications for these positions have now closed.
Three Associate Choral Leaders will be working in the Diocese of Manchester for 2024-25 with our Choral Scholars, community choirs and children’s choirs across a number of different churches. For more information:
Associate Choral Leader (Choral Scholars)
Associate Choral Leader (Children’s Choirs)
Associate Choral Leader (Community Choirs)