Our Church Choir
Our Director of Music, Dylan McCaig leads the development of our Church Choir and has expanded the choir and its age demographic to include pupils from local secondary schools as well as more experienced adult singers. We welcome singers of all ages and voice types.
When does the choir sing?
The Church Choir supports our regular Sunday services, as well as singing at major religious festivals and civic events. Choir members are also encouraged to join our ‘ad-hoc’ choral society, the Festival Singers.
What are the benefits of being a chorister/lay clerk at St Mary’s?
Choristers/Lay Clerks become used to working to the highest standards in all that they do on a weekly basis. Skills that they learn in choir activities are very much transferable, such as:
- self-discipline, organisation and responsibility.
- time management and teamwork.
- the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods.
- reading and singing in a variety of languages.
- striving for excellence on a daily basis.
A Chorister/Lay Clerk at St Mary’s, Banbury can expect to receive:
- Multiple performance opportunities across each academic year including singing at major civic events in Banbury.
- The chance to take part in television and radio broadcasts
- A musical education consisting of ongoing theory and vocal tuition during rehearsals, providing singers with skills that will be of great benefit beyond
their time in the choir. - A recognisable ‘merit mark’ on their future CV’s when applying for University
- Opportunities to work towards qualifications such as RSCM Voice for Life Awards, funded by St Mary’s.*
- Sessions from classically-trained Soprano and Visiting Vocal Tutor to St Mary’s, Tessa Mckean.
*Individual approval needed from DofM Dylan McCaig and Rev. Serena Tajima.
What are the requirements to join the St Mary’s Church Choir?
You do not need to be a practising Christian to become a member of the choir. We will hold a simple audition to test potential singers' ability to sing in tune, keep time and read music.
If you are interested in joining the choir, please get in touch with our Director of Music, Dylan McCaig by email: music@banburystmary.org.uk
We are also hoping to found a Junior Choir/Probationer Choir in 2025. If this is something you think your child might be interested in, please get in touch using the email address above.
About Dylan
Dylan McCaig is a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) where he studied for a BMus (Hons) degree in Organ Performance, as well as a PGCE with QTS specialising in Secondary Education Music from Birmingham City University (BCU). Dylan has achieved multiple awards, including the Corton-Hyde Early Music Prize from RBC, the ‘Contribution to Wider School Life” Award from BCU and has recently been made a recipient of the Silver Award for ‘Outstanding New Teacher of the Year’ in the Pearson National Teaching Awards (often referred to as the Oscars of Teaching) and will compete for the Gold Award in late 2024.
He began his musical training at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral where he was a Head Chorister and subsequently Junior Organ Scholar. Dylan was appointed Organ Scholar of St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham during his studies at RBC and became Senior Organ Scholar of Liverpool Cathedral upon graduating. As well as holding an ARCO from the Royal College of Organists, he has played in masterclasses for internationally renowned organists, Henry Fairs, Nathan Laube, Daniel Moult, Kimberly Marshall, Martin Schmeding, and Pieter Van Dijk as well as making televised appearances on ‘Songs of Praise’ in 2008 and 2019. His passion for early music has created opportunities for him to work with EMAE, ELM and organise large scale projects with his own baroque ensemble, Calder Consort at various UK Cathedrals.
He is currently Teacher of Music and Head of Pankhurst House at The Warriner School, where he has introduced an organ training scheme to Warriner in partnership with the RCO and the UK’s first state school baroque ensemble.
Finally, Dylan has held the role of Director of Music at St Mary’s Church, Banbury since March 2023 and expanded the choir and its age demographic to include pupils from local secondary schools. Additionally, he has founded two major music festivals at St Mary’s: Banbury Organ Day and the Banbury Early Music Festival.
About Tessa
Tessa McKean is a classical soprano and vocal instructor from North-East England. She earned her Master's in vocal studies from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2021, after completing her Bachelor's degree at King’s College London, where she also received vocal training at the Royal Academy of Music.
Tessa specializes in the fuller lyric soprano repertoire, with past operatic roles including Giulietta in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Mademoiselle Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor, and Elisa in Il re pastore. Before pursuing her postgraduate studies, Tessa spent three years in Berlin refining her technique, artistry, and language skills under the guidance of Suzanne Fischer and Norah Amsellem, as well as coaches from the Hanns Eisler Hochschule der Musik and Berlin’s Komische Oper. It was during this time that she developed a deep love for Lied and a strong connection to German repertoire.
In recent years, Tessa has shifted her focus from performing to teaching. She is currently building her own teaching practice in Banbury, North Oxfordshire, and serves as a Visiting Vocal Tutor for the Choir of St Mary's Church, Banbury.
