NMMA MUSIC

From January 2023, the parishes and parish areas listed above have been linked as the North Monmouthshire Ministry Area. It is the intention that they will co-operate with each other and share resources.

Across the area, there are organists, pianists, singers, choirs, instrumentalists, conductors, composers and arrangers. This webpage facilitates them working together.

The page is a resource for congregations who seek, on an occasional basis, some extra support for their music. They will be able to make their requests known and musicians who are able to help can volunteer to be of assistance.

For volunteering musicians, their commitment will not extend beyond any particular service for which they are in place.

It is envisaged that, from time to time, musicians from the area will put on their own events (such as an Advent carol service, or a Lent meditation) both to offer music of a wider scope and to raise awareness of possibilities on offer.

Music has been part of church services since apostolic times. Until the 20th century, this music was always produced by live performers. The purpose of NMMA Music is (as far as possible) to make live music available to congregations within the Ministry Area when or if they wish for it.

Anyone from within the area or outside, of any denomination, who has skills to offer or skills to improve, is welcome to be part of this scheme.

• Organists & Pianists
  For people already playing for services, or who could help out
  Several churches in the area already have regular organists/pianists, whilst others are dependent on recorded music. If you are already playing somewhere but would willing also to play at other churches or, if you have piano skills and might, with a little help and instruction, be willing to accompany some simple services, please register.
  Have a look at the resources link.
• Choirs & Singers
  Providing extra voices for choirs, or for leading hymns
  There are times when established choirs like to augment their numbers for special services, or (for example) a small choir is requested to support the hymn singing at a wedding, funeral, or festival. If you would be willing to sing on an occasional basis, please register.
  Have a look at the resources link.
• Conductors & Choir Trainers
  A pool of people who can train and direct a choir
  Within the area, there are people who are experienced and talented choir trainers and conductors. If you would be willing, on an irregular basis, to supervise a choir for a special event or, if you have some musical background and would be interested in learning the skills necessary for directing a choir, please register.
  Have a look at the resources link.
• Instrumentalists
  Adding uplift to a service with additional instruments
  For special occasions, the presence of extra instruments, which strengthen and/or supplement the accustomed musical forces, are most welcome. If you have instrumental skills and would be willing to play for some special services, please register.
  Have a look at the resources link.
• Composers & Arrangers
  Providing music for irregular groups to perform
  There is no guarantee that, if a request for extra music is made, the volunteers will form a regularly constituted group. If you have the skills to provide music specifically tailored to the resources available for a particular service so that a satisfying and creditable performance could take place, please register.
  

For anyone wanting to use this facility, a request form is available (See below). Information from submitted forms will be sent on to registered musicians who will decide if they want to be involved in that particular event and report back. Matters such are rehearsals (if any) and times etc will be discussed and agreed on.

For whenever a request is made. There could be five requests a month, or none. The system is very flexible

However, as musicians will only be signing up for services/events where the information is clearly laid out beforehand, there should be no problems.

For wherever a request is made. No one church will be considered to be the operational base for the scheme. Services, events and rehearsals could be anywhere within the area, or even outside.

However, as musicians will only be signing up for services/events where the information is clearly laid out beforehand, there should be no problems.

For people or groups who wish to enhance their skills or find material suitable for a particular project, there are a number of free, downloadable resources:

• For Organists & Pianists
  
  • The Organists' Toolkit
    A basic survival guide for pianists on how to play the organ. It includes tips about selecting stops, using different manuals, and accompanying hymns. There are links to suitable downloadable voluntaries.
    Here is a LINK.
  • Simplified Hymns
    500 hymns for the whole year with simplified accompaniments: no pedals, no large stretches, never more than three notes at a time, and many available in a choice of keys.
    Here is a LINK.
• For Choirs & Singers
  
  • Small Choirs' Site
    1,400+ free, downloadable pieces for church choirs with few or no men, ranging from simple unison anthems, through flexible pieces for SA Men, to more complex pieces for SSAA Men etc.
    Here is a LINK.
  • The Singers' Toolkit 1
    A basic guide to navigating the mysteries of singing, being in a choir, and coping with printed music.
    Here is a LINK.
  • The Singers' Toolkit 2
    Exercises for singers who feel that they need practice at matching pitch (singing the same note as everybody else).
    Here is a LINK.
• For Conductors & Choir Trainers
  
  • The Choir Trainers' Toolkit
    A basic guide to training a choir for non-specialists who are confident with the contents of The Singers' Toolkit 1, adding further knowledge and confidence. This site is particularly useful for someone who takes over a choir in an emergency situation.
    Here is a LINK.
• For Instrumentalists
  
  • Slim Carols
    38 famous carols and Christmas hymns arranged in 3 parts for irregular groups of instruments. Parts for transposing instruments are provided, and the middle part never goes below the range of a violin. These arrangements are 100% compatible with the equivalent hymns and carols in the Simplified Hymns mentioned above.
    Here is a LINK.
  • Super Slim Carols
    The same carols arranged in two parts only, but so that either part may be played as the upper part and either part as the lower part. (That is, they are in invertible counterpoint.)
    Here is a LINK.
  • 100% Compatibility
    A melody version is provided for all the above carols which is compatible with all standard versions. Once again, each version is available for many transposing instruments.
    Here is a LINK.
• For Composers & Arrangers
  
  • It is presumed that anyone who registers for this skill will have previous experience. However, an emergency situation could arise where skilled help was needed but not available. The contents of The Choir Trainer's Toolkit sets out some very elementary, rule-of-thumb ways for providing simple arrangements that require little to no knowledge of harmony and counterpoint.

• Congregations or Groups requesting Musicians
  The will be no charge**. This is one of the collective resources available to the NMMA.
• Musicians Responding to a Request
  The will be no charge. Participation is free
• **
  If a congregation is requesting an organist to cover a service normally played for by a paid organist, it is requested that the replacement organist is similarly paid as the usual organist.

The choir has recently sung at:

• September 8 2022: the licensing of the Revd David Roberts in St Michael's, Llanvihangel Crucorney.
• November 28 2022: an Advent carol service in St James', Llanvetherine.
• January 15 2023: the formal commissioning of the North Monmouthshire Ministry Area in St Teilo's, Llantilio Crossenny.
• February 12 2023: singers joined with others to sing at a baptism in St Teilo's, Llantilio Pertholey
• March 6 2023: singers joined the Llanvapley Taize Group for a service of meditation in St Mabli's, Llanvapley.
• April 5 2023: singers joined the Llanvapley Taize Group for a Holy Week service in St Mabli's, Llanvapley.
• April 6 2023: a Maundy Thursday service in St David's, Llanddewi Rhydderch.
• April 7 2023: singers joined the resident choir for a Good Friday service in St Teilo's, Llantilio Pertholey.
• April 7 2023: singers supported others performing Stainer's Crucifixion in St Teilo's, Llantilio Crossenny.
• April 30 2023: a motet choir sang for a blessing service with Bishop Cherry in St Michael's, Llanvihangel Crucorney.
• May 18 2023: a motet choir sang for an Ascension Day service in St Nicholas, Grosmont.
• July 30 2023: a motet choir sang for an Sung Evensong in st Michael's, Llanvihangel Crucorney
• Sept 16 2023: a choir sang for a wedding in Llanthony

These are new requests

• Saturday 23 September 2.00 pm
  St Teilo's Church, Llantilio Pertholey NP7 6NT
  Pianist to Organist Upgrade
  A hands-on session for pianists so that they can find out how an organ works and whether they could accompany simple services. Open to all from the Ministry Area and beyond.
  DETAILS HERE.
• Saturday 7 October 2023 2.00 pm
  St Michael's Church, Llanvihangel Crucorney NP7 8DH
  Oven Ready Carols Christmas Fayre
  An introduction to Oven Ready Carols, an opportunity to sing through some, and time enough before Christmas to take them back to your own church and strengthen a small choir or establish as small choral group. Open to all from the Ministry Area and beyond.
  DETAILS HERE.
• Sunday 29 October 2023 6.00 pm
  St Nicholas' Church, Grosmont NP7 8LW
  Sung Evensong
  a motet choir to sing an anthem and lead the congregational singing.
  DETAILS HERE.
• Sunday 3 December 2023, time to be decided
  Bridget's Church, Skenfrith NP7 8UG
  Carol Service, Advent to Christmas
  The NMMA choir will sing several pieces
  DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY

• New events and requests will be posted here as they arise.