MUSIC
We are lucky to have music at most of the services in our parishes. Most parishes have an organist, and at Cheriton there is the thriving Cherion Church Choir (always keen to welcome new child and adult members).
If you love to sing and would like to join a group of singers, then the Cheriton Singers or Lainston Singers would love to hear from you (see below). There are regular concerts and special musical occasions held across the Benefice.
Please see the What's On section for details of forthcoming concerts, including those you can take part in if you wish.
Cheriton Church Choir
The choir sings at all choral services at St Michael's Cheriton, as well as special performances throughout the year. New members are very welcome - please contact the Choir Leader Gillian Gray, Scrubbs Farm, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford (tel: 01962 736029 - www.appledowncentre.co.uk).
Rehearsals: The Junior Choir meets every Tuesday, 7-8pm, in St Michael's Church, Cheriton (except once a month when there is the Music Club). In addition to their work towards the Light Blue ribbon, Junio members will be learning music for the family services and special services. The Senior Choir meets 7.30-9pm on certain weekday evenings (please contact Gillian for details).
St Michael's Music Club
All singers and instrumentalists are welcome but no previous experience necessary. Suitable for all from 7 years upwards. The club meets once a month on a Tuesday evening at Scrubbs Farm, Bishop's Sutton, from 7-8pm. They work on a variety of music. Please contact Gillian for details).
Cheriton Singers
The Cheriton Singers was founded in 1969. We are a friendly group of enthusiastic amateur singers and welcome members of all ages. In keeping with our policy of encouraging participation, there are no formal auditions to join the choir and the emphasis is to have fun making music. When required, soloists and ensemble singers are selected from existing members which provides an opportunity for those wishing to rise to the challenge. Our repertoire is extremely varied and includes secular and religious music ranging from Handel to Lloyd Webber. As a full choir, we perform several concerts a year in a variety of local venues including a number of open-air settings in the village. In order to raise additional funds, Cheriton Singers will also provide various combinations of voices for “outside events”. Rehearsals are in St. Michael’s Church, Cheriton, every Thursday evening (during term time) from 7-45 pm until about 10 pm , with a break for coffee. If you are interested in joining us, please do come along to a rehearsal or e-mail the Secretary. 
New members very welcome. Please see Cheriton Singers’ website for further details, including concert programmes
The Lainston Singers
An amateur ladies group based at the Appledown Centre, The Lainston Singers offer a varied programme of performance as a means of raising funds for local churches, charities and similar bodies.
The singers meet once a month to rehearse both sacred and secular music as requested. Membership is limited to 18 singers, who must be competent choral singers and reasonable sight readers. Annual Membership costs £18.
There are currently vacancies in all voice parts. For further information and to
arrange a trial rehearsal please Email Lainston Singers and see website for further details
Bell Ringing
At most churches in the Benefice there is only a single or small number of bells, rung on Sundays. St Michael's, Cheriton has an excellent collection of bells and is the focus for the bell-ringers from across the Benefice, who practice at St Michael's Cheriton on Wednesday evenings, and ring the bells at Cheriton on Sunday mornings. The 'Ringers' are always keen to welcome new members to try it out or train - please contact the Bellringing Captain for further information.
Organists
The Benefice has a number of organists who make an enormous contribution to parish services, as well as playing at funerals, weddings, baptisms and on other occasions. Please see the Who's Who for the list of organists. .
