Music and Worship

 
At Burlington we are committed to using a variety of musical styles in our worship. Andrew Maries puts it well: “Our God is too small if He is only able to speak through one kind of art form stamped with the orthodox seal of approval.”

We are closely associated with the music and worship foundation and share many of their aims and objectives.

For news of our latest activities, click here

Music for Worship Principles

In practical terms we try to make sure that our music:

  • is accessible to the majority of our members - inclusive
  • is approachable for the un-churched - especially in the morning
  • involves and develops as many people’s gifts as possible
  • is of a high quality, without exclusiveness, because we want to give God our best and not have music being a stumbling block to worship
  • involves all ages and abilities because the church is a family

Sunday morning worship is normally led by our worship group - with the organ where appropriate, while the evening services tend to be quieter.

On special occasions the Burlington Family Orchestra turn the whole event into a amazing Celebration!

Worship Group

The Worship Group forms the core of Music at Burlington and leads the music for most morning services. As well as the normal line up of vocalists, acoustic and rhythm guitars, keyboards, drums and bass we also feature Sax (all four varieties), Flute, Clarinet, French Horn, Trumpet, Oboe and Cello at various times. Once a month we feature the Burlington Little Big Band (Big Band in style, little in size - at least at the moment!)

Phatfish and the latest Soul Survivor songs are always popular, along with Delirious and Hillsongs, or even Wellspring and (occasionally) the London Community Gospel Choir!

We are still very committed to using the Organ whenever appropriate – particularly for hymns where you can't beat it!

We rehearse from 9am to 10am every Sunday morning.

           

Burlington Family Orchestra

The Family Orchestra plays around 4 or 5 times per year (usually Christmas, Easter and a few other special occasions). The orchestra is open to all-comers, church, congregation and friends; children, young people and adults from absolute beginners to Grade 8 and beyond.  Most times we have around 35 players from beginners upwards, and they all seem to get better each time. We are very fortunate to have most instruments represented - Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, French Horn, Trumpets, Violins, Viola and Cello - sometimes even a Tuba.  Recently we've been expanding the percussion department with the help of Richard Hubbard from the Cantus Firmus trust and young people from his cre8 project, and as well as drum kit and congas have featured timpani, cymbals, glockenspiel, side drum and tambourine - as near to Psalm 150 as we can get. We make all our own arrangements using Sibelius. We have around 30 hymns, songs and carols in our repertoire. Favourites include Name of all Majesty, In Christ Alone and See What a Morning and most recently, To God be the Glory.

When we are preparing for a service we rehearse from 7pm to 8:30pm on Wednesdays.

Burlington Family Orchestra plays for the Church 150th Anniversary Service on 21st May 2006         

The Gathering

The Gathering is a contemporary music based worship service which usually occurs on the first Sunday evening of each month at 7pm. There is an emphasis on creativity and extended times of sung worship - usually led by members of the Worship Group and special guests! It seeks to provide an opportunity for us to relax in God’s presence and listen to what he might say to us.

Check out the homepage and the this week page for the next date and for more information look at the Gathering page.

 

Burlington Ensemble

Occasionally a small group of us get together to lead worship using orchestral-type instruments - perhaps for a Maundy Thursday Communion or other quieter evening service. We call this the Burlington Ensemble. In the past the ensemble has consisted of Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, Trumpet, Violin and Cello as well as piano and organ.

Musicals

We have performed a number of musicals by Roger Jones in recent years starting with While Shepherds Watched and Simeon which we have performed with choir, soloists, drama and a small orchestra using Annie Routley's excellent arrangements. 

Having enjoyed those we decided to write our own and came up with Crowned with Glory - the Christmas story told from the perspective of the Angels, written especially for Burlington by Burlington members!  You can listen and download the music for one of the numbers - Bethlehem Sleeps - here. In 2007 we again put together our own musical around the hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem. As for 2008...watch this space.