Music
Music is at the heart of the worship and life of Bromley Parish Church. Our strong musical tradition encompasses choral music, a magnificent pipe organ, bellringing and a varied programme of recitals and concerts throughout the year. We also offer both organ and choral scholarships for young people wishing to develop their abilities within a church setting.
The Choir
Choral music is a vital and valued part of worship at Bromley Parish Church. Our friendly adult choir sings a wide range of sacred music, from the Renaissance to the present day, at Sunday morning Eucharists, monthly Choral Evensong, festivals and special services throughout the year.
The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9.00 pm and on Sunday mornings from 9.45 am before the 10.30 am Eucharist. For Choral Evensong, the choir rehearses from 5.00 pm before the service at 6.30 pm.
New singers in all voice parts are warmly welcomed. Some previous choral experience and an ability to read music are helpful, but we encourage anyone who enjoys singing and would like to explore the possibility of joining the choir to contact our Director of Music. Prospective members may be invited to attend an informal audition.
The choir is directed by Tom Robson, an experienced singer, conductor and singing teacher who works regularly with some of the country’s leading professional choirs.
We do not currently have a junior choir, although we hope in time to re-establish opportunities for children and young singers.
Organ and Choral Scholars
We offer Choral Scholarships for singers aged 16–25 who would like to develop their voices, sight-reading and musicianship while becoming valued members of our choir. Scholars receive musical and vocal guidance, sing a broad range of repertoire and may also have opportunities for solo and small-ensemble singing.
We also offer an Organ Scholarship for a young organist wishing to gain experience of accompanying choral and congregational worship and playing the church’s fine Walker organ.
Further information about the awards, commitments and application process can be found at the bottom of this page.
Walker Organ
The church’s organ was built in 1991 by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. Designed to accompany congregational and choral worship as well as for solo performance, it is regularly heard at services, concerts and recitals.
The instrument has three manuals and pedals, 40 speaking stops, six couplers and three tremulants. Its 55 ranks contain 2,708 pipes. The manual and pedal actions are mechanical, while the stop control is electromagnetic, with a solid-state capture combination system.
Concerts and Recitals
Bromley Parish Church hosts a varied programme of concerts and organ recitals throughout the year, including our popular Celebrity Bank Holiday Organ Recital Series. Details of forthcoming performances can be found on our Events page.
Bells
The earliest surviving record of bells at Bromley Parish Church dates from 1552, when four bells hung in the tower. By 1773 the number had increased to eight, as it remains today. The present bells were cast in 1950 and hung in the rebuilt church following its destruction during the Second World War. The bells are widely considered to be one of the finest rings of eight in the area.
The bells are rung from 09.45am before the principal Sunday service at 10.30am, as well as for festivals, weddings and other special occasions. The tower team ring regular quarter peals, pieces of ringing lasting around 45 minutes, once a month on Friday evenings and for Choral Evensong on the second Sunday of each month. Visiting bands also come to ring peals.
New and experienced ringers are warmly invited to join our flourishing and active tower team at the Tuesday evening practice night. You can find out more about our bellringers: the wonderfully named Society of Bromley Youths, by following this link to their facebook page.
Get involved
We are always delighted to hear from anyone who would like to become involved in music-making at Bromley Parish Church, whether as a singer, organist or instrumentalist. To explore the opportunities available, please contact our Director of Music, Tom Robson, at DoM@bromleyparishchurch.org
Related Downloads
Choral Scholarships 2026-2027
Please find attached the advert and application pack for our Choral Scholarships which are open to under 25 year olds, who wish to sing in a friendly and welcoming choir, and develop their voice, sight-reading and musicianship.
Regular commitments include rehearsals on Thursday evenings, Parish Eucharist on Sunday mornings, and Choral Evensong once a month. There are also other festivals and special services throughout the year. Please see the attached documents for more information.
Organ Scholarship 2026-2027
Please find attached the advert and application pack for our Organ Scholarship. The award is open to all under 25 who are looking for an opportunity to develop their playing and gain practical experience within the musical life of a busy parish church.
Regular commitments include rehearsals on Thursday evenings, Parish Eucharist on Sunday mornings, All-age Eucharist and Choral Evensong once a month. There are also other festivals and special services throughout the year. Please see the attached documents for more information.
Celebrity Bank Holiday Organ Recitals
We are delighted to present organ recitals on the following Bank Holidays: Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and the August Bank Holiday. Recitals are at 11:30am with refreshments served from 10:30am. Admission is free, with a retiring collection towards the cost of running the series. Please do come and support these concerts, and enjoy our magnificent Walker Organ.
Next Recital:
- Monday 29th March 2027 – Richard Pinel (St Mary’s, Bourne Street)
More Recitals:
- Monday 3rd May 2027 – Simon Johnson (Westminster Cathedral)
- Monday 31st May 2027 – Jonathan Hope (Gloucester Cathedral)
- Monday 30th August 2027 – TBA