In 1991 Fr Austin Kinsella, then Parish Priest, enlisted the advice and support of the Music Ministry at All Saints Church, Inmans Row to set up a Group in St Thomas’ to lead the music at the 10am Mass which had and still has, a majority of young families in the congregation.
All Saints responded with expertise, encouragement, practical help and the loan of two musicians and a sound system for more than a year. The influence of All Saints Musicians resulted in a small revolution in the way music was generally heard at Mass – a contemporary interpretation of Christian songs in the Worship Group style, with keyboard, lead, rhythm and bass guitars, drums, violin and a small group of vocalists using microphones.
St Thomas’ Music Group has expanded to include a clarinet and developed it’s own style which continues to owe much to its origins. We listen to contemporary church music and adapt it to suit our resources and needs, and enjoy the challenge of introducing modern Christian songs to enhance our liturgy. There is nothing remote and exclusive about us – we sing and play within the congregation and welcome input from those who attend. We produce a Mass Sheet each week with the words of all the songs and a link to our web site is on the back. Anyone can contact us there as well as hear our music and find details of how to join us. But, best of all, we like people to come up and have a chat!
Our aims remain the same as ever - to sing God’s praises, provide music that is inspiring and to send everyone home from Mass uplifted and if possible with a catchy tune going round in their head. This will remind them every now and again throughout the week of their Sunday morning gathering with their fellow parishioners in the presence of the Lord.
Do visit our website – it’s FULL of interesting stuff –
www.musicgroup.org.uk