CHOIR & MUSIC
Hornsey Parish Church Choir is an historic, ambitious and welcoming robed choir. We sing a Eucharist service at 10:30am on Sundays, occasional Evensongs and Complines, and perform regular concerts of sacred music with professional soloists. The annual services of The Wait (Advent), Nine Lessons and Carols (Christmas) and Easter Vigil (Easter) are among the finest in London.
Introducing our new Music Director:
Dr Leah Stuttard
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Leah Stuttard as the new Music Director at Hornsey Parish Church, beginning her ministry with us on Sunday 8th June 2025.
Throughout the selection process, Leah impressed us with her clear sense of vocation and her thoughtful vision for the role. We were particularly drawn to her understanding of music as a vital expression of discipleship, her collaborative spirit, and her evident gifts in both musicality and leadership. We are confident that Leah will be a wonderful fit for the ethos of Hornsey Parish Church.
Leah brings a rich and varied musical background. A lifelong singer and churchgoer, she plays piano, harpsichord, organ, and medieval harp, which she has performed on across the UK and internationally for nearly 30 years. Her love of choral singing began in childhood, with early involvement in the Blackburn Cathedral Youth Choir, and has continued through university and adult life. Most recently, she has sung the liturgy with St Paul’s Harringay Evensong Choir and the St Michael’s Singers in Highgate.
Fr Bruce-Julian writes:
“I am so delighted we have appointed Leah, who brings together impressive musical ability, strong choral leadership, and a deep, demonstrative faith. Alongside her wide experience of church life, Leah also has a growing practice in contemplative prayer, and so resonates not only with our commitment to music and the arts, but also with our calling to be a Contemplative Church in Action.”
We look forward with joy and anticipation to welcoming Leah and beginning this new chapter in our shared ministry of music, worship, and spiritual growth.
Hornsey Parish Church Choir
The choir comprises some 12 voluntary singers and 4 paid choral scholars. We welcome new members who have a facility with sight reading and a passion for the choral liturgy. There is no subscription fee and no formal audition. To join the choir, please contact Fr Bruce or Mthr Clemency (fr.bruce@hornseyparishchurch.org or mthr.clemency@hornseyparishchurch.org). Our singers are adults of all ages and all walks of life: a diverse, friendly, committed and musical community.
The choir rehearses weekly on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. We aim for high musical standards across a wide ranging repertoire, spanning Renaissance polyphony to contemporary anthems and mass settings. Recent performance highlights have included: Dvořák Te Deum with professional soloists; Tavener Mother of God in the round by candlelight; Young The Night at Evensong in St. Michael’s Highgate; Bowden Ice Carol, a new commission for Hornsey Parish Church Choir.
The choir also has a lively social life, with regular suppers, garden parties and post-concert celebrations, often involving the wider church community. The choir regularly participates in the vibrant musical life of North London, including appearances in the Crouch End Festival and joint services with the choir of St. Michael’s, Highgate.
Instrumentalists
Hornsey Parish Church also supports a wide range of amateur and professional instrumental and folk musicians. Instrumentalists enhance our worship by accompanying the choir in anthems or performing after the service. We also run regular informal concerts for the local community, where a diverse range of musicians showcase their skills.
Stages for Faith
On a regular basis Hornsey Parish Church stages a musical, with actors drawn from the neighbouring areas. Performances, complete with band, costumes, and brilliant singing, are given over several nights to packed audiences inside the church. Past productions have included The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Secret Garden.
Venue Hire
The church is blessed with a wonderful acoustic, colourful Saxon Aldred organ and well-voiced grand piano. There are also a variety of different performance options, including choir stalls, space in front of the Sanctuary and the Lady Chapel. The church is therefore an ideal and flexible space for rehearsals and concerts (solo, choral and orchestral) conveniently close to central London. For hire enquiries, please contact hpchalls@gmail.com.
