The Choir

St Mark’s has always had a choir, and has a strong tradition of choral music . The present choir, though small, is enthusiastic and always happy to welcome new members. It has been under the musical directorship of Martin French since 2000.

The choir leads the singing in Sunday services, performs a wide variety of music at choral evensongs and other special services, and sings at all the festivals of the Christian year. It is also much in demand for weddings at for St Mark’s.

The choir’s repertoire spans seven centuries, from medieval music to the work of living composers. It is often hard work, but is very rewarding. Choir rehearsals are on Friday evenings between 8.00 and 9.30 in the Church. Enthusiasm and an interest in the marvellous variety of Anglican choral music is more important then technical skills. Singers of all ages are welcome in all voice parts.

St. Mark’s choir spreads its wings beyond the church itself. Many members are also involved in The Sutton Chorale, which includes members of several church choirs in Sutton and Croydon, and allows for the performance of works outside the normal compass of a parish church choir. It also allows the choir to travel. Over the last few years members have been to Germany, Belgium and Denmark, as well as visiting cathedrals all over England.



Martin French
Martin’s love of music started at Trinity School in Croydon, where he sang in the world renowned Trinity Boys Choir. This involved numerous recitals, recordings and television work not just of choral music, but children’s operas, film scores and even advertising “jingles”. He is still involved with the Choir.
Whilst at Trinity he also studied piano, organ, trumpet and singing. Having been offered a place at the Royal College of Music, he studied singing under Professor Hervey Allen, his prized possession from this time being Hervey’s own copy of Vaughan William’s Songs of Travel.
Martin has directed a number of choirs including The Royal Memorial Chapel choir at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. During Martin’s tenure there, Sandhurst played host to a number of major ecclesiastical, religious and military events, many involving royalty, with Martin at the baton often directing the military band as well as the choir.