Music at
St Molua's

The Choir

St Molua's has a voluntary choir of almost 20, recruited entirely from parish membership; the choir sings at two services each Sunday, and the parish has a tradition of good music, well sung. While services are congregational in nature, the choir are encouraged to make a special contribution to the worship through anthems and other means at their disposal. Repertoire is wide-ranging in this respect, including the early music of people like Tallis and Byrd, through Purcell and Greene, Victorians such as Goss and Stainer, as well as Irishmen including Stanford and Wood. Choral Evensong is sung several times a year, and public recitals are also given. Recent works sung at recitals include Pergolesi's "Magnificat", Vivaldi's "Gloria", "Cantique de Jean Racine" by Faure, "Zadok the Priest" by Handel, and Parry's "I was Glad." The acoustical properties of the church building are magnificent for both choral and organ recitals.

Until recently, the Organist & Choirmaster at St Molua's was Jim Drennan, a well-known figure in Northern Ireland's musical circles, specialising in choral musicianship. Jim has now retired and his successor, Robert Thompson, took up appointment in January 2006.

Robert came to us with a good deal of experience in Church Music, having held posts at St Patrick's Ballymena, St Peter's Belfast and at Donegore, part of the Templepatrick group of parishes in County Antrim. Previously, Robert had been Director of Music at Wallace High School, where his work in the Music Department is well known. Both he and his wife Rachel are members of the Priory Singers.

Details of the Choir's most recent activities and achievements can be found on the Choir Notes page.

MP3 Audio clips of St Molua's Choir can now be downloaded by clicking on the icons below .
Click here for more information on downloading and playing the files.

The Organ

The organ was built by Charles A. Smethurst of Manchester, England for St Molua's in 1962. This was one of the first of many Smethurst organs in the Belfast area. The action is electro-magnetic, the detached draw-stop console situated behind the south side of the quire, and the organ itself located on a platform above the north quire.

The acoustics of the church are admirably suited to organ and choir alike, and the modest-sized instrument sounds impressive throughout the building. The Inaugural recital was given by Noel Rawsthorne, organist of Liverpool Cathedral, on Wednesday 7th November 1962.