Heartfelt congregational singing of the Mass setting, hymns and propers is a central part of our worship on Sundays and Holy Days. A professional cantor-soloist leads the responsorial singing and sings a post-communion solo once a month, and a member of the congregation cantors on other occasions. Organ voluntaries from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century are played before and after Mass except during Lent. The communion music is provided by piano and acoustic guitar. On five special occasions each year a professional trumpeter helps the congregation hit the high notes.
Music at St Silas' has been kindly and generously supported by the Ecclesiastical Music Trust and anonymous individual donations. The following were recorded for the congregation by cantor-soloist Emma Charles and organist Martin Black when public services were put on hold in March 2020: The Lord Is My Shepherd (responsorial) Schubert, Ave Maria Mozart, Ave Verum Corpus Now the Green Blade Riseth Bach-Gounod, Ave Maria Geoffrey Burgon, Nunc Dimittis César Franck, Panis Angelicus Rutter, The Lord Bless You and Keep You Fauré, Pie Jesu (Requiem) More were recorded when a cantor-soloist was allowed to sing in the gallery, before congregational singing was permitted: Ernest Sands, May the Choirs of Angels Caccini (Vavilov), Ave Maria Henry Purcell, Hark! Hark! the Echoing Air (The Fairy Queen) Handel, Messiah I Know That My Redeemer Liveth Handel, Messiah, How Beautiful Are the Feet Reynaldo Hahn, A Chloris |
11.00am Sunday 13th April 2025, Procession of Palms and Parish Mass, Palm Sunday
Voluntaries before Mass: none in Lent.
Setting: Sanctus and Benedictus – Victor Whitburn, St Luke’s Mass; Agnus Dei – Grayston Ives, Salisbury Service.
Responsorial Psalm 22 (21) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... Christ became for us obedient to the point of death...
Hymns and Songs: Give Me Joy in My Heart; My Song Is Love Unknown; From Heaven You Came (servant king); Praise to the Holiest.
Elevation Fanfares: none in Lent.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Angelus.
Voluntary after Mass: none in Lent.
Cantor Pat Black, Organ Martin Black.
7.00pm Maundy Thursday 17th April 2025, Mass of the Last Supper With Procession to the Altar of Repose
Voluntaries before Mass: Girolamo Frescobaldi 1583-1643 Fiori Musicali 1635 Toccata per l’Elevatione (Apostoli), Toccata Cromaticha per l’Elevatione (Domenica).
Setting: Kyrie - Taizé; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 116 (115) The cup of blessing is a communion in the blood of Christ.
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... A new commandment I give to you...
Hymns and Songs: The King of Love; Soul of My Saviour; Of the Glorious Body Telling.
Elevation Fanfares: none.
Music During Communion: none.
Voluntary after Mass: none.
Cantor Pat Black, Organ Martin Black.
3.00pm Good Friday 18th April 2025, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Setting: none.
Responsorial Psalm 31 (30) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... Christ became for us obedient to the point of death...
Hymns: There Is a Greenhill; When I Survey; I Met You at the Cross.
Reproaches: Paschal Jordan.
Cantor Pat Black, Piano Martin Black.
7.00pm Easter Eve 19th April 2025, The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter
Voluntaries before Vigil: none.
Vigil Psalms: Ps 104 (103) Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth; Ps 16 (15) Preserve me, God, for in you I take refuge; Ex 15 Let us sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph; Is 12 With joy will you draw water from the springs of salvation.
Setting: Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Exsultet: Woodlands and plainsong.
Responsorial Psalm 118 (117) = Gospel Acclamation, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Litany: Saints of God in Glory, Bernadette Farrell.
Hymns: Water of Life; The Strife is O’er (Victory); Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Voluntary after Mass: Henry Heron 1738-1795 Voluntary in G.
Cantors Pat Back, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 20th April 2025, Festival Mass of the Resurrection, Easter Day
Voluntaries before Mass: Domenico Scarlatti 1685-1767 Sonata in G; Dietrich Buxtehude 1637-1707 Fuga in C BuxWV 174.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 118 (117) This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed...
Hymns and Songs: The Day of Resurrection; Thine Be the Glory; All Heaven Declares; Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: Improvisation.
Solo: Charles Wood 1866-1926 This Joyful Eastertide
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Kenneth Leighton 1929-1988 Fanfare 1967.
Cantor-Soloist Ee-Ping, Trumpet Matt Rainsford, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 27th April 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 2 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: John Stanley 1713-1786 Ten Voluntaries Opera Sesta Voluntary VII in G for Full Organ, Ten Voluntaries Opera Settima Voluntary VI for Cornopean.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm: none – All Age Mass.
Gospel Acclamation: The Lord Is Alive, Alleluia.
Hymns and Songs: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus; The Lord Is Alive, Alleluia; Father, We Love You; Hail Redeemer, King Divine.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: John Stanley 1713-1786 Ten Voluntaries Opera Sesta Voluntary VIII in A Minor for Full Organ.
Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 4th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 3 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706 Canon, Fuga in D.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 30 (29) I will extol you, LORD, for you have raised me up.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, Christ is risen, who created all things...
Hymns and Songs: The Day of Resurrection; Lord, Enthroned; All Heaven Declares; Thine Be the Glory.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706Toccata d-moll.
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 11th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 4 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 Pastorella BWV 590 I, II, III.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 100 (99) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, I am the good shepherd...
Hymns and Songs: O Praise Ye the Lord; At the Name of Jesus; This Is My Body; To God Be the Glory.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 Pastorella BWV 590 IV.
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 18th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 5 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726 Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo 1716 Al Post Comunio, All’Elevazione.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 145 (144) I will bless your name for ever, my God and king.
Gospel Acclamation 12 Celtic Alleluia, A new commandment I give to you...
Hymns and Songs: Christ Triumphant; Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem; A New Commandment; All for Jesus.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726 Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo 1716 All’Offertorio
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
Planned Cantor, Soloist and Trumpeter Dates (to the end of 2025)
Provisional Cantor Days, to be confirmed
Every Sunday
Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week
All Souls
Christmas Eve and Morning
Provisional Soloist Days, to be confirmed
Sunday 8th June - Pentecost, Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June - Corpus Christi
Sunday 13th July 6pm - Feast of St Silas
Sunday 7th September - Ordinary 23
Sunday 12th October - Ordinary 28
Saturday 8th November 5pm - All Souls
Sunday 23rd November - Christ the King
Wednesday 24th December 8pm - First Mass of Christmas
Provisional Trumpeter Days, to be confirmed
Sunday 8th June - Pentecost, Confirmation
Sunday 13th July 6pm - Feast of St Silas
Sunday 9th November - Remembrance
Wednesday 24th December 8pm - First Mass of Christmas
Voluntaries before Mass: none in Lent.
Setting: Sanctus and Benedictus – Victor Whitburn, St Luke’s Mass; Agnus Dei – Grayston Ives, Salisbury Service.
Responsorial Psalm 22 (21) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... Christ became for us obedient to the point of death...
Hymns and Songs: Give Me Joy in My Heart; My Song Is Love Unknown; From Heaven You Came (servant king); Praise to the Holiest.
Elevation Fanfares: none in Lent.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Angelus.
Voluntary after Mass: none in Lent.
Cantor Pat Black, Organ Martin Black.
7.00pm Maundy Thursday 17th April 2025, Mass of the Last Supper With Procession to the Altar of Repose
Voluntaries before Mass: Girolamo Frescobaldi 1583-1643 Fiori Musicali 1635 Toccata per l’Elevatione (Apostoli), Toccata Cromaticha per l’Elevatione (Domenica).
Setting: Kyrie - Taizé; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 116 (115) The cup of blessing is a communion in the blood of Christ.
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... A new commandment I give to you...
Hymns and Songs: The King of Love; Soul of My Saviour; Of the Glorious Body Telling.
Elevation Fanfares: none.
Music During Communion: none.
Voluntary after Mass: none.
Cantor Pat Black, Organ Martin Black.
3.00pm Good Friday 18th April 2025, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Setting: none.
Responsorial Psalm 31 (30) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ... Christ became for us obedient to the point of death...
Hymns: There Is a Greenhill; When I Survey; I Met You at the Cross.
Reproaches: Paschal Jordan.
Cantor Pat Black, Piano Martin Black.
7.00pm Easter Eve 19th April 2025, The Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter
Voluntaries before Vigil: none.
Vigil Psalms: Ps 104 (103) Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth; Ps 16 (15) Preserve me, God, for in you I take refuge; Ex 15 Let us sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph; Is 12 With joy will you draw water from the springs of salvation.
Setting: Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Exsultet: Woodlands and plainsong.
Responsorial Psalm 118 (117) = Gospel Acclamation, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Litany: Saints of God in Glory, Bernadette Farrell.
Hymns: Water of Life; The Strife is O’er (Victory); Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Voluntary after Mass: Henry Heron 1738-1795 Voluntary in G.
Cantors Pat Back, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 20th April 2025, Festival Mass of the Resurrection, Easter Day
Voluntaries before Mass: Domenico Scarlatti 1685-1767 Sonata in G; Dietrich Buxtehude 1637-1707 Fuga in C BuxWV 174.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 118 (117) This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed...
Hymns and Songs: The Day of Resurrection; Thine Be the Glory; All Heaven Declares; Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: Improvisation.
Solo: Charles Wood 1866-1926 This Joyful Eastertide
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Kenneth Leighton 1929-1988 Fanfare 1967.
Cantor-Soloist Ee-Ping, Trumpet Matt Rainsford, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 27th April 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 2 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: John Stanley 1713-1786 Ten Voluntaries Opera Sesta Voluntary VII in G for Full Organ, Ten Voluntaries Opera Settima Voluntary VI for Cornopean.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm: none – All Age Mass.
Gospel Acclamation: The Lord Is Alive, Alleluia.
Hymns and Songs: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus; The Lord Is Alive, Alleluia; Father, We Love You; Hail Redeemer, King Divine.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: John Stanley 1713-1786 Ten Voluntaries Opera Sesta Voluntary VIII in A Minor for Full Organ.
Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 4th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 3 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706 Canon, Fuga in D.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 30 (29) I will extol you, LORD, for you have raised me up.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, Christ is risen, who created all things...
Hymns and Songs: The Day of Resurrection; Lord, Enthroned; All Heaven Declares; Thine Be the Glory.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706Toccata d-moll.
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 11th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 4 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 Pastorella BWV 590 I, II, III.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 100 (99) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Gospel Acclamation: 12 Celtic Alleluia, I am the good shepherd...
Hymns and Songs: O Praise Ye the Lord; At the Name of Jesus; This Is My Body; To God Be the Glory.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 Pastorella BWV 590 IV.
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
11.00am Sunday 18th May 2025, Parish Mass, Easter 5 Year C
Voluntaries before Mass: Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726 Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo 1716 Al Post Comunio, All’Elevazione.
Setting: Water of Life – Stephen Dean; Gloria – George Salazar; Sanctus and Benedictus – Paul Inwood, Gathering Mass; Agnus Dei – Paul Inwood Communion Song 3.
Responsorial Psalm 145 (144) I will bless your name for ever, my God and king.
Gospel Acclamation 12 Celtic Alleluia, A new commandment I give to you...
Hymns and Songs: Christ Triumphant; Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem; A New Commandment; All for Jesus.
Elevation Fanfares: Martin Black Festal Fanfares.
Music During Communion: improvisation.
Double Alleluia Dismissal and Regina Caeli.
Voluntary after Mass: Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726 Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo 1716 All’Offertorio
Cantor Pat Black, Acoustic Guitar Nathan Lyons, Organ Martin Black.
Planned Cantor, Soloist and Trumpeter Dates (to the end of 2025)
Provisional Cantor Days, to be confirmed
Every Sunday
Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week
All Souls
Christmas Eve and Morning
Provisional Soloist Days, to be confirmed
Sunday 8th June - Pentecost, Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June - Corpus Christi
Sunday 13th July 6pm - Feast of St Silas
Sunday 7th September - Ordinary 23
Sunday 12th October - Ordinary 28
Saturday 8th November 5pm - All Souls
Sunday 23rd November - Christ the King
Wednesday 24th December 8pm - First Mass of Christmas
Provisional Trumpeter Days, to be confirmed
Sunday 8th June - Pentecost, Confirmation
Sunday 13th July 6pm - Feast of St Silas
Sunday 9th November - Remembrance
Wednesday 24th December 8pm - First Mass of Christmas