Hexham Abbey

Choirs 

   The Choir of Boys and Men sings Choral Evensongs each Wednesday in term-time and Choral services on most Sundays, with rehearsals on Mondays (Boys), Wednesdays (after Evensong), and Sundays. There is a large repertoire of anthems, responses & settings. (Listen) The choir have recorded 2 CDs in recent years; toured to Milan (2005) Paris (2007) and Rome (2009) and recently sang on BBC Songs of Praise. Meetings of a more fun and social nature are also a feature.

   Any boys are eligible for trial, and begin as probationers. Probationers come from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities and are trained to become full Choristers. This is a tremendous opportunity for developing a whole range of skills as well as musical ones. The age range for trebles is 7-14yrs, with many moving as young men to sing Alto, Tenor or Bass after that. A small bursary is paid to the boys each term, and opportunities arise for other bonuses, subsidies and scholarships.

    The Girls' Choir sing Choral Evensongs on Thursdays each week and once a month on Sundays. The age range is 10 - 18. The Girls' Choir begun in September 2001 has also sung at concerts and services in the UK and beyond

    The Hexham Abbey Chamber Choir (mixed adults) comes together once or twice a term for services or concerts, and the Pr@ise Choir (children and adults) sings on the first Sunday morning of every month in term time.

Enquiries from potential choristers and musicians willing to aim for high standards and to make a commitment should contact the Director of Music, Michael Haynes via the Parish Office.

Music List | Voice Trials

Director of Music:
Michael Haynes studied at The Birmingham Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music. He has been Director of Music at Hexham Abbey for 6 years. Previously he had worked at St Alban’s Cathedral (as Organ Scholar), Winchester College (as Assistant Organist), Clifton College (as Assistant Director of Music), Roedean School (as Organist) and The University Church in Cambridge (as Director of Music).
Michael holds the Fellowship and Choir Master Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists and has recorded and broadcast both as an organist and choir director. (Most recently, a new solo organ recording on the organ of Hexham Abbey, and a CD of the choirs.). He has given recitals in a number of English Cathedrals, as well as King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, Westminster Abbey, Germany and the USA. As an Examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Michael has worked in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Europe.

Assistant Organist: