Christ Church with St Philip

Worcester Park

How did it all begin?

The JMG was formed in February 1992, when we realised two things:

• the then Music Group had a considerable number of teenagers who, though both talented and dedicated, would soon be off to university
   
• and an equivalent number of younger children who were learning an instrument had nowhere to play.

It was decided that the younger players would meet weekly on a Friday evening so that they could practise together and gradually filter into the established group.
It soon became obvious that the young people were also very keen on drama so this was included on a semi regular basis.

We meet in the Church on a Friday evening between 6.30 and 7.15pm in term time.

Our age range is from 8 to 80 --- or over --- and if you can’t play an instrument you are welcome to join us as a singer, along with our slightly more mature members.

Most Friday evenings will include a mix of music, both modern and traditional, and drama, though we are primarily a music group. Occasionally, we will try out a dance
routine, depending on what the young people want. Although we are not ‘uniformed’; we do have a T-shirt with logo, designed for us by a church member.

As well as playing at the monthly Family / Parade Service and on the 3^rd Sunday at the evening service we also give (usually) three concerts a year, roughly speaking at the end of each school term.

These include a fairly traditional Christmas concert using ‘different’ carols, Christian pantomime and ‘themed’ musicals – for instance based around creation and conservation
or telling the story of particular Bible characters such as Thomas, or Stephen, Paul & Barnabas.

We end the summer with a barbecue, and we often start the new session with a ramble and picnic.

Whenever possible or appropriate, our young musicians are involved with the wider activities of the church and have recently contributed a display to the Harvest Festival week-end.

From Harvest to Christmas they collect small change for Breadline Africa.

Some pictures of some of our current members:

We asked the group what they would like to include on this web-site. Here are some of their comments:-

“We love singing with the young music group at services in the church and at the pantomimes.”

“We enjoy performing in our shows, especially the pantomimes.”

“The Junior Music Group – we play music; take part in church services; drama; raising money.”

“I enjoy this group as it is made up of young and old, all music lovers who take part in plays and support the church.”