Notes for Singers
This is a note for anyone who would like to come and sing at our performance of The Crucifixion by John Stainer on Good Friday, 3 April 2026. Stainer described the work as “A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer”, so we are as usual presenting it as an act of worship rather than a concert. Our permanent choir at St John’s is quite small, so we welcome a large number of additional singers to join us. You need either to be reasonably familiar with the work (see note on “practice” below) or to be a reasonably good reader of music so that you will be able to sing in 4-part harmony. We will be performing the work in full.
Arrangements
There will be a rehearsal on the day for those who are singing in the choir. This will be at 4.30 pm, and it would be helpful to arrive early and be ready in position in the choir stalls for a 4.30 pm start. We hope to be able to provide refreshments between the rehearsal and the service, which will take place at 7 pm and last about an hour. Your friends will be very welcome to join our congregation for the service and sing the hymns that are part of the work. Leaflets of words will be provided for the congregation. At the end of the service there will be a collection for our choir fund.
Music
You are welcome to bring your own copy, but we have plenty available to lend you.
Practice
If you would like to practise before the day, you could:
- View or download the score from IMSLP or ScorSer
- Watch a YouTube video (this one shows the score while you listen to it)
- Most smartphones and computers can play MIDI rehearsal files, such as the ones from Learn Choral Music or Cantemus, which can emphasise your own part while still playing the other parts and the accompaniment (Midi files do not have words, so you will want to have a score in front of you too)
- Borrow a score from us before the performance rather than just on the day (contact Simon Patrick, details below)
- Join our choir practices (Thursdays 26 February to 26 March inclusive, 7.30 pm, St John’s Church Choir Vestry, using entrance in Sheepcote Road, Harrow) (we will also be practising our hymns for Sundays first, so you may like to arrive about 7.45 pm)
Who’s Who
We are pleased to announce that Stuart Brant has kindly agreed to be our conductor this year. The organ will as usual be played by Philip Rees (organist of St John’s, Stanmore) and the two soloists will be Harry Reddish (tenor) and Christopher Jacklin (bass).
What to wear
Many of our lady singers wear white blouses with black skirts or trousers, and the men dark suits with a white shirt and tie, but this is entirely optional. We do not wear cassocks and surplices on this occasion.
Getting here
St John’s is on the corner of Station Road and Sheepcote Road in central Harrow. (You may still remember it as being opposite the former Debenhams store.) The postcode is HA1 2JE, and entrance will be available from well in advance of 4.30 pm through the doors on the Station Road side. The church is a short walk from Harrow on the Hill Station and Harrow Bus Station, and a rather longer walk (about 10 minutes) from Harrow and Wealdstone Station. There is no parking on site, but there is a nearby Harrow Council car park in Greenhill Way (entrance just round the first corner after you turn into Greenhill Way from Station Road). This car park does charge on Good Friday.
London Borough of Harrow car parks accept payment via telephone or mobile app through PayByPhone (https://www.paybyphone.co.uk/how-it-works/parking). If you wish to pay by telephone it will save time if you register in advance on their website. You may be able to pay cash at a nearby PayPoint (nearest one to the church is Lucky’s, 263 Station Road), but this is not always available. The first hour (per car per day) is free but you must still register at paybyphone or a Paypoint, even if you are parking for less than one hour.
There are three lavatories in our new extension at the west end of the church, on the level with the worship area, one of which is for people with disabilities. There is a ramp from street level up to our main doors in Station Road.
Letting us know/further information
It would help to have some idea of numbers, so please leave your name and voice part (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) with Simon Patrick, the acting organist of St John’s, either by email (simon.patrick@cantab.net) or on 020 8427 7993. Also do contact him if you would like any further information. But if you do not succeed in letting us know in advance, you will still be welcome to turn up on the day for the rehearsal.
Publicity
If you would like to invite friends, you are welcome to print off our handbill.
