Marches Music Ministry is a collective of musicians and choirs from across Herefordshire, Shropshire and the Welsh Marches area. It has been formed because we need to close the local Royal School of Church Music group, following changes in the national organisation of the RSCM.

The purpose of this NEW GROUP is to provide assistance, encouragement, networking and support to help people with music events in churches in the Marches areas. e.g.,

  • Come & Sing events,
  • training workshops
  • ideas exchange
  • support for isolated musicians
  • help with repertoire
  • fellowship for choristers

There is no membership fee and you no longer need to be affiliated to the RSCM to be a part of this, though there are still many membership benefits to be had there.

If you’d like to join our mailing list, either as a church or individual, please use the signup form below.

If you are on the mailing list for the local RSCM group please sign up again here as that group ceases in December and we need to compile a fresh mailing list.

Join our mailing list

Music Resources

We’ve compiled a list of useful resources for choir trainers that may help you to find suitable music for specific occasions. Please let us know if you have material to add to this.

Events

ROSS: Round Byrd: A Devotion for Passiontide at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye – Saturday 28th March, 2.30pm rehearsal for 5.00pm service. Music by Weelkes, Bruckner, Byrd, Tallis and Lotti. All singers are welcome but please learn the notes in advance of the rehearsal. Full detail, music and booking at https://rossparishes.uk/round-byrd 

LEOMINSTER: Hereford Diocese through Music – 19 April 2026, 6pm, Leominster Priory, with Bishop Richard – 4pm rehearsal for choirs attending. Followed by a big cake and refreshments. To celebrate the 1350th  anniversary of the Diocese of Hereford choirs from the diocese will come together to sing music through the ages by Herefordshire composers past and present.  Popular hymns for all. Organised by Marches Music Ministry and Diocese of Herefordshire Organists’ Training Scheme. Please join us for this celebration of the contribution of musicians from the Diocese of Hereford through the ages. If your choir would like to take part please contact Nick Russell  asap / by 1st March. The music list is available now, with pdfs to download and print.

ROSS: Come, Sing & Sup: Evensong for St George’s Day at St Mary’s Parish Church, Ross-on-Wye, Sunday 26th April. 4.00pm rehearsal for 6.00pm service. All singers are welcome to sing and to join us for supper afterwards. Full details and booking at: https://rossparishes.uk/come-sing  

LEDBURY: Come and Sing Choral Evensong – Celebrating 1350 of Hereford Diocese, at St Michael’s Ledbury, 17th May. 4.00pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service. (Music: Canticles – Brewer in D, Evening Hymn – Balfour Gardiner, Responses – Piers Maxim.) Contact Kate Cheetham (Director of Music).

HEREFORD: Come & Sing the Chilcott’s St John’s Passion, Palm Sunday at Holy Trinity, Hereford, 3rd April. 4pm rehearsal for 6pm performance. This is a big work and attendance at three prior rehearsals (Sundays 1-3pm) is essential. Contact Ewan Murray (Director of Music) on ewanmurray451@gmail.com

LEOMINSTER: Come and Sing Advent Sunday Candlelit Service, Leominster Priory, Sunday November 29th, rehearsal 4.15pm, service 6pm.Experience the thrill of singing a candlelit Advent service in Leominster Priory, which has one of the finest acoustics in the country, followed by seasonal refreshments. Music to be confirmed in September. Contact Hilary Norris to book a place, for music pdfs/to order booklets, from the Forbury Office, and for backing tracks to rehearse with.