Music at St James
In 1982 the organist of one of the Wren churches in the City asked me to stand in for him [at St James], and he never came back – so I’ve stood in for him for 35 years.
Sir Andrew Parmley, Honorary Organist
St James Garlickhythe has a fine tradition of celebrating the greatest in English choral music. Our honorary organist is Sir Andrew Parmley, currently the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists.
We have a number of choirs that rotate through the month.
The St James Choral Scholars – a quartet of of student singers
The Thames Chamber Choir – an east London chamber choir under the baton of Andrew Campling.
St James Choir – our resident singers who perform for special occasions and at extra services.
Stellae Cantores – our home grown ensemble who, when they aren’t singing, are ringing the church bells.
The church organ was originally thought to have been built ‘Father’ Smith in 1697 and re-sited here, but it is now thought to have been newly built in 1719 by Johann Knoppel.
The organ has three manuals (Great, Swell and Choir) with a pedal department added in 1888. In 2007, our Honorary Organist, Sir Andrew Parmley, launched a major restoration programme which raised £325,000. The organ was restored by Manders and the magnificent case restored, removing years of blackened varnish.
If you wish to know more about our music, please contact the parish administrator at adminSJG@london.anglican.org.
