Ministry - Music

The church of St Simon and St Jude is blessed with a pipe organ of special musical significance, being the largest and most complete instrument of its kind in the Southern Highlands and the only pipe organ in the town of Bowral.

The Organ is of considerable historical significance being derived from a Charles Richardson organ originally built in 1900. While the Organ has been extensively modified, the front enclosing the organ (the "casework") is original and has been described as "a noteworthy example" of its type.

The Organ is used every Sunday to accompany Services at St Jude's and also at significant festivals and other special occasions such as the many weddings and funerals held in the Church.

The Organ is also used regularly for recitals, especially in the Autumn and Spring series of concerts and recitals. Increasingly St Jude's is being used as a venue for visiting international music ensembles. The availability of a quality organ adds significantly to the versatility of the Church for concert purposes.

Go to the History pages for more information about the Charles Richardson Organ.

The St Jude's Singers is a four part choral group of some forty singers founded in the later 1990s with the goal of singing the traditional service of Choral Evensong on four occasions throughout the year. These services are generally held at 3.00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in March, June, September and December. The December service takes the form of a special service for Advent.

In addition, the Singers have been augmented to present major choral works in concerts. These have included Vivaldi's "Gloria", Pergolesi's "Magnificat", Brahms's "German Requiem", and Mendelssohn's "Elijah". Stainer's "Crucifixion" has also been presented at Easter.

As well as their performances in St Jude's Church, The St Jude's Singers have sung in St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn; St Peter's Church, Campbelltown; and the Nowra School of Arts.

Anyone interested in singing the classical choral repertoire is invited to join the Singers and should contact the Director, Dr Allan Beavis, on 02 4869 9144 (9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or on 02 4868 1768 at other times.

In 2001, Patsy Gordon, a member of the St Jude's congregation and a former member of the St Andrew's Cathedral Orchestra, together with a number of her senior musician friends decided to form an orchestra whose goal would be to present concerts during the day and to raise funds for local charities. Beginning with a core of ten enthusiastic string players, the orchestra made its debut at a Red Cross function at Farnborough in Moss Vale. Shortly thereafter, on a Friday morning, it presented its inaugural concert in St Jude's Church with proceeds going to Anglicare.

Noticing that many of those present at this first concert went from the Church to local coffee shops, it was decided to provide a light luncheon following the orchestra's second concert. From this developed what is now the orchestra's main format - M&L (Music and Lunch) Concerts in St Jude's Church on four Friday mornings throughout the year.

The orchestra is led by Molly Rodgers, a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has played as leader of several amateur orchestras including the Ku-ring-gai Chamber Orchestra, the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Parramatta Musical Comedy Company. She had three years with the National Training Orchestra and four years with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Conductor of the orchestra is Allan Beavis, the Principal Organist at St Simon's and St Jude's. From 1969 to 1981 he was Assistant Organist at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. He was Headmaster of St Andrew's Cathedral School from 1979 -1995 and Master of New College at UNSW from 1995-2002. He holds Associate Diplomas (Organ Performance) of the Australian Music Examination Board and of the Royal College of Music (London).

In addition to its four M&L Concerts per year, the orchestra has performed at various charity functions and community concerts in homes and other venues. It has also accompanied the St Jude's Singers in performances of major choral works such as Brahms's "Requiem" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah". The charities supported include Youth off the Streets (YOTS), Triple Care Farm (The Sir David Martin Foundation), the Braille Music Camp and the St Jude's Music Association (under whose auspices the orchestra now performs).

The Orchestra rehearses each Friday morning in St Jude's Hall from 10 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

New members are welcome and should contact Dr Allan Beavis on 02 4861 6944 (9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or on 02 4868 1768 at other times.

"The Light" utilises the talents of numerous gifted musicians on keyboards, guitars and drums. This group together with a number of singers have a vision of enhancing Bible teaching in the 9:45 a.m. Family & Youth Service and the 5:30 p.m. service by the use of modern music.

They see their ministry as a great opportunity to proclaim the gospel through modern songs which: