Chiltern West Gallery Quire

The Quire

The Chiltern West Gallery Quire is a group of around twenty-five singers and instrumentalists, performing the distinctive psalms, hymns, anthems and carols that were sung in the west galleries of English country churches in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

The Quire sings in the traditional 'four parts': Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass and is supported by various instruments including: Basoon, Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Cello, Violin, Viola and a Serpent.

Most of our music is specially researched and has connections with our local area. Please see the repertoire page for more details, including a list of all the music we've sung, and listen to some samples of our performances.

The Quire is available to give concerts or short performances for an agreed fee. Our concert programme includes psalms, carols, anthems and dance music linked by readings of contemporary writings and modern comment. We can also provide the music for a 'Book of Common Prayer' Evensong. For concerts and other performances we usually appear in costume, an impressionistic rather than authentic representation of early nineteenth century village dress, as shown in these photos of the Quire in action. For an Evensong we can wear period costume, or modern dress to demonstrate the continuity and relevance of the music to today's worship.

The Quire was formed in September 1993, and has members from Herts, Beds, Essex, Bucks, Cambs and London. We rehearse once a month on Saturday afternoons, in Welwyn Garden City, Herts, UK. We're always pleased to hear from confident singers and instrumentalists who would like to join us.

Details of performances and rehearsal dates are in the Diary. If you'd like to book, join or just listen to the Quire then please contact us. For information about other quires and West Gallery music in general please contact the West Gallery Music Association.