The Choir

The choir at St Michael's is formed of local residents, students of the University of Exeter and those from further afield. The choir sings a wide repertoire of sacred music including motets and settings of the mass by Byrd, Victoria, Stanford, Part, Lassus, Darke and Palestrina and at each Solemn Mass, plainchant propers from the English Gradual. The main rehearsal is at 7pm on Tuesday and the choir also rehearses on Sundays from 10am and usually for around an hour before major services.

A smaller group meets to sing Vespers on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.00 p.m. to which all are welcome.

The interim Choir Director is Neil Page and the Organist is Nigel Browne.

Interested in singing?

Please click here for the current music list.

The choir at St Michael’s is a mixed (SATB) friendly choir, which sings at the weekly Mass on Sunday mornings, as well as at extra services such as Evensong and Benediction, and on certain Feast Days. The style of worship is firmly rooted within the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England, but welcomes members of any denomination. The choir rehearse once a week in the church, from 7pm–8.30pm on a Tuesday evening and before services. Sung Mass is every Sunday, with a practice starting at 10am. There are also occasional Masses on weekday evenings (7.30pm) on special occasions. On the first Sunday of the month, the choir also sings a choral Evensong and Benediction at 6pm.

St Michael’s is famous for its generous acoustic, and is frequently used as a concert venue by choirs such as Cantors and the Exeter University Singers, The Serlo Consort, The Wesley Singers and Exeter Philharmonic Choir. The church is also popular among local musicians and record labels as a recording venue.


One of the highlights of the year is the singing of Tenebrae on Good Friday from the West Gallery, attended by people from all over the country. Main festivals, such as Michaelmass, Corpus Christi and the Advent Procession also attract a large congregation from the city.

Repertoire

The choir prides itself in singing to a high standard a diverse repertoire which includes plainsong, as well as a wide range of settings and anthems by composers ranging from Byrd, Palestrina, Stanford, to Mozart, Leighton and Part. At Mass each week, the choir sings a different mass setting (occasionally with instrumental accompaniment) an introit and anthems, together with the plainsong propers set for the day. At Choral Evensong and Benediction, we sing through-composed settings of the canticles, Psalms sung to Anglican chant (sometimes plainsong), responses and anthems, and settings of the Benediction hymns.

The choir is about 20-30 in number, membership consisting of a mixture University students and local people. St Michael’s has enjoyed connections with the University for over seventy years, during which time students have been involved with the life of the church in a number of ways, as servers, musicians, choristers and members of the congregation.

St Michael’s is looking for singers who are willing to contribute to the life of the choir and help maintain high musical standards. Choristers are expected to attend all practices and services during term time. Of course, occasional absence is inevitable, in which case you are expected to warn the Director of Music in good time.

It is hoped that students will participate fully during term time but it is accepted that accommodation can cause problems in the vacation and, whilst it is hoped that singers would return for some special services, (such as Holy Week and Michaelmas) we understand when this is not possible.

Social Events

The choir usually meet at their local, the City Gate, after Tuesday choir practice and for Sunday Lunch after Mass. There are many other social events throughout the year including trips to sing at other churches and cathedrals and joint events with other local choirs. In recent years there has been a weeklong choir tour in the summer with succesful visits to Yorkshire, Wales and Norfolk and future trips planned to Dorset. 

If you are interested in more singing at St Michael’s, a smaller number of the choir meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm to sing plainsong Vespers (by candlelight). Whilst it is anticipated that you may wish to attend these weekday services, they are by no means obligatory.

Contact Details

If you are interested in joining the choir, please complete our contact form  and further information will be sent to you.

Summary of Service and Practice Times

Sunday Mass
Practice 10am
Service starts 10.45pm
Service finishes 12noon

Evensong
(NB: 1st Sunday of every month only)
Practice 4.45pm
Service starts 6pm
Service finishes 7pm

Tuesday Choir Practice
Starts 7pm
Finishes 8.30pm

Tuesdays and Thursdays (optional)
Vespers 6pm
Service finishes 6.45pm