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Background
One of the priorities of the Mitcham Parish is working to establish St Michael's Church as a centre of excellence in sacred music, using our musical activities as a form of outreach and service to the wider community. To this end we offer a balance of liturgical music styles across our services, with the usual pattern of:
8.00am: traditional Anglican hymns and organ music
9.15am: modern Christian songs accompanied by band and vocal group
10.30am: quality Anglican choral repertoire, full choir and organ
Guest instrumentalists, vocal ensembles and soloists feature regularly at festivals such as Christmas, Easter and Patronal Festival. We have a commitment to nurturing involvement in liturgical music amongst young people through scholarships, performance opportunities for young musicians and the Kid's Voice children's music programme.
Director of Music
Lesley Lewis as Director of Music coordinates music activities at St Michael's. She joined the staff in October 2003 and is the regular organist and choir conductor. Outside the parish, Lesley is harpsichordist with Adelaide Baroque, and conductor of Quire St Nicolas and Hills Choral Society.
Contact
Parish office 08 8373 3433
email: music@mitchamanglican.org.au
Choir
 Mitcham Parish choir is a robed mixed voice choir that sings at the Sunday 10.30am Choral Eucharist during school terms and for special services during the year. The choir welcomes singers in all voice parts.
Choir Practice
Thursdays at 6.15pm and Sundays at 9.30am during school terms in the Choir room. Extra rehearsals are scheduled at the approach of special services as required.
Family service
An integral part of the 9.15am service each Sunday the family service musicians form an inclusive band of instrumentalists and singers led from the keyboard.
Contacts
Jo-anne Henshall
Michael Wilkinson
 Kid's Voice
Kid's Voice is a vocal training programme for children aged 8-14 years, open to young people who are keen to sing and make music together.
The course introduces:
- good vocal techniques including posture, diction and tone
- foundation skills in aural awareness, sight singing and theory
- a variety of songs
- the team spirit of a choir/music group
 This course is designed on the guidelines of the Voice for Life curriculum promoted by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Awards for various levels of achievement can be obtained should participants wish to take a test on the completion of the course.
Music Task Group
The Music Task Group was established as working party as part of the Parish Plan. It has both a coordinating role fostering communication between the music ministries and programmes of the parish, and also a support role for the Director of Music. Meetings occur monthly on a Thursday at 7.30pm in the Choir room and the Music Task Group is also involved in working bees and support for special events.
Contact: music@mitchamanglican.org.au
Organ
The organ of St Michael's Church Mitcham was built by Bishop & Son in 1878, and was restored by George Stephens 1994-95. It is used regularly for Sunday and weekday worship, for weddings, recitals and organ practice.
Assistant organists
David Lowe
John Drake
Scholarships
Music scholarships are offered to music students aged 16-40 who are interested in making the regular performance of sacred music part of their musical development. These scholarships offer rich opportunities for musical development with professional direction and mentorship. Scholarship holders are selected on their potential leadership ability either as a vocalist, organist or other instrumentalist in either traditional or contemporary styles.
Applications are invited at all times of the year until all places are filled.
A scholarship is currently valued at $1200 per annum.
For more information about scholarships contact music@mitchamanglican.org.au
Links
RSCM Australia www.rscmaustralia.org.au
Repertoire
St Michel's Choir library contains over 250 works for use in Anglican worship, representing a wide range of musical styles.
Link to Choir Library catalogue listing
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