Here at St Gabriel's we have a long a varied music tradition which continues to this day. We have a full organ and a grand piano in church as well as some very talented musicians within the congregation. A musical highlight is the autumnal Arts & Crafts Fair with various musical performances which have previously included singers, folk bands and a harpist.
Singing and music has been a treasured part of life at St Gabriel’s for over 100 years. In church we have a pipe organ, and a choir singing at every Sunday morning service, and for two evening services a month. Our vision is to include our whole local community in coming together to make music. Singing and music-making improves health, happiness, and wellbeing, and we believe it should be available to all people.
We have reshaped choral singing at St Gabriel’s to be as safe as possible in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic (changing our plans according to the latest restrictions) , and are currently planning how we can create a new way for young people to be involved in singing and music. Our dream is to be able to offer life-changing musical experiences and learning to every child in Heaton.
Email me at [email protected] if you are interested in giving it a go. It’s going to be great music, sung with enthusiasm and creativity.
Tim Burke, Choir Director
Meet Tim Burke!
Timothy Burke was born in Kingston upon Thames, and sang as a chorister at Kingston Parish Church, and at HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
He was Organ Scholar at Exeter College, Oxford, and went on to train as an opera conductor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the National Opera Studio and the Jette Parker Young Artists’ Programme at the Royal Opera House.
He has conducted the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Opera North, the Royal Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera and others. He is passionate about new music and making music in the community.
We are very pleased to welcome him to the role of Choir Director at St Gabriel’s to continue the long tradition of music here.