links spreadsheet

#5 Ave Maria (2-part) Suzi Saperia (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Lyrics as #1

#6 Ave Maria (chromatic) Lorraine Branson (vocals)

Lyrics as #1

#7 Rejoice in the Lord (duet) Suzi Saperia (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Lyrics: Frank M Davis (1839-1896)

O rejoice in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord

In praise let your voices accord,

Rejoice in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord and exalt His name,

In praise let your voices accord;

Be glory to Him, great Deliverer,

Rejoice, O rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord and proclaim Him king,

Who gave us His unfailing word,

That death and the grave shall be vanquished foes,

Rejoice, O rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord and give thanks and sing.

His servants shall gain great reward;

His kingdom shall never, no, never fail,

Rejoice, O rejoice in the Lord.

#8 The Lord's My Shepherd (solo) Suzi Saperia (vocals)

Lyrics: Psalm 23

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for his own name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill:
For thou art with me, and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

#9 Hear Me, Blessed Jesus (duet) Suzi Saperia (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Lyrics: Anon (19th century)

Hear me, blessed Jesus,
Bid all fear depart;
Let Thy Spirit whisper
Peace within my heart.

Let me fully trust Thee,
Resting on Thy Word;
Let me still with patience
Wait on Thee, O Lord.

Hiding in the shadow
Of Thy shelt'ring wings,
I shall rest confiding
In the King of kings.

Chorus:
Then, whate'er Thou sendest,
Happy I shall be,
Jesus, my Redeemer,
Looking unto Thee.

#10 From Earthly Tasks Lorraine Branson (vocals)

Lyrics: adapted from Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)

From earthly tasks lift up thy weary eyes
Within a crib, in peaceful slumber lies
A little child so young and oh so fair:
'Tis Christ, the Lord, Who gently resteth there!

"Welcome to earth, Thou ever noble Guest,
Thru Whom the world will be forever blest!"
The Lord Himself will our salvation be,
And He Himself will all from sin set free.

O dearest Lord, O dearest holy Child,
Make Thee a bed that’s soft and undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may safely be
A resting place, a quiet place for Thee.

For very joy my restless heart doth leap,
My lips no more can lonely silence keep:
"Glory to God, Gloru in highest heav'n,
Who unto men His Son indeed hath giv'n!"

#11 God the Giver (duet) Suzi Saperia (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Lyrics by Elizabeth W Denison (1896)

O world of light and glory!

O sky of cloud and blue!

Thy daily song and story

Is ever fresh and new.

Then let us join the chorus,

With voices glad and clear,

His love is watching o’er us,

Who sees afar and near.

The trees and grass and flowers,

The birds that sing His praise,

The gentle summer showers,

The shining autumn days,

From God’s own hand are given,

In loving bounty free;

He made the earth and Heaven,

He dwells with you and me.

He gave the precious treasure

Of home and loved ones dear,

The blessing and the pleasure

That crown each happy year.

And, oh, beyond our telling,

His only Son He gave,

All other gifts excelling,

A sinful world to save.

The trees and grass and flowers,

The birds that sing His praise,

The gentle summer showers,

The shining autumn days,

O world of light and glory!

O sky of cloud and blue!

Thy daily song and story

Is ever fresh and new.

#12 My Shepherd is the Lamb Lorraine Branson (vocals)

Lyrics derived from poems attr John Beaumont C1856 and Julia H Johnston 1899

My shepherd is the Lamb,
The living Lord who died;
With all things good I ever am
By Him supplied.
He richly feeds my soul
With blessings from above,
And leads me where the rivers roll
Of endless love.

When though the valley I must walk,

Where death’s dark shadows fall,

With rod and staff He will be near

To help me when I call.

A bounteous table He doth spread,

He giveth more and more;

With all the blessings of His love

Behold my cup runs o’er.

Loving Shepherd, call my name,
And keep me ever near Thy side;
For Thou art always the same,
My guardian, my friend and guide.

My soul He doth restore
Whene’er I go astray;
He makes my cup of joy run o’er
From day to day;
His love, so full, so free,
Anoints my head with oil;
Mercy and goodness follow me,
Fruit of His toil.

When faith and hope shall cease,
And love abide alone,
Then shall I see Him face to face,
And know as known.
Still shall I lift my voice,
His praise my song shall be.

Loving Shepherd, call my name,
And keep me ever near Thy side;
For Thou art always the same,
My guardian, my friend and guide.

#13 Soft falls the snow St Austin’s Choir

Lyrics by Julia Bachope Goddard (1825-96)

Soft falls the snow upon the ground,
So pure and white;
O may our hearts as pure be found
This Christmas night.
For Christ is born that we may be
From sin set free, set free,
For Christ is born that we may be
From sin set free, from sin set free.

The holly with its prickly thorn
And berries red,
Tells of the crown the Lord hath worn,
And blood He shed.
For Christ hath died that we might be,
From sin set free, set free,
For Christ hath died that we might be
From sin set free, from sin set free.

The golden stars in heaven shine
This Christmas night,
And tell us of the Star Divine,
guiding a-right,
To Him who came that we might be
From sin set free, set free,
To Him who came that we might be,
From sin set free, from sin set free.

The Christmas bells all joyful chime,
The choirs all sing
A joyful song at Christmas time;
For Christ the King
Was born today that we might be
From sin set free, from sin set free,
Was born today that we might be
From sin set free, from sin set free.

#14 A Child is born (duet) ) Suzi Saperia (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Music by Alan T Granger, arranged by Paul M Granger

Lyrics: Puer natus in Bethlehem, a 14th Century Latin Hymn

A Child is born in Bethlehem;
Rejoice and sing, Jerusalem.
Within a manger He doth lie.
Whose throne is set above the sky.
Hallelujah! hallelujah!

The wise men came, led by the star;
Gold, myrrh, and incense brought from far.
The ox and ass beheld that sight;
The creature knew the Lord of might.1
Hallelujah! hallelujah!

His mother is the Virgin mild,
And He the Father's only child.
The serpent's wound He beareth not.
Yet takes our blood, and shares our lot.
Hallelujah! hallelujah!

Our human flesh He enters in,
But free from every stain of sin.
To fallen man himself He bowed,
That He might lift us up to God.
Hallelujah! hallelujah!

On this most blessed jubilee,
All glory be, O God! to Thee.
O Holy Three, we Thee adore,
This day, henceforth, for evermore.
Hallelujah! hallelujah!

#15 Christ is born! St Austin’s Choir

Lyrics: Anon

Christ is born! O Christ is born!
O Ring the news on Christmas morn;
Mary's Son! O Mary's Son!
O Come and laud Him, ev’ry one:

"Glory be to God on high,

Glory be to God on high"
Joyful Angels make reply,

"Glory be to God on high".

Lo! the star! O Lo! the Star!
It guides the wise men from afar.
Now it stays! O now it stays!
O in the manger offer praise:

"Glory be to God on high,

Glory be to God on high"
Joyful Angels make reply,

"Glory be to God on high".

Shepherds, go! Shepherds, go!
Bethlehem shall wonders show;
You shall find! You shall find!
Mary's babe Lord of Mankind.

Peace on earth! O Peace on earth!
O herald in the virgin birth.
Give God thanks! O give God thanks!
O now we join the heavenly ranks:

"Glory be to God on high,

Glory be to God on high"
Joyful Angels make reply,

"Glory be to God on high".

#16 Pie Jesu (duet) Ann Ganley (soprano), Lorraine Branson (alto)

Lyrics from Dies Irae (13th century) and St John’s Gospel

#17 In Flanders Fields St Austin’s Choir

Lyrics by Major John McCrae (1915)

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If you break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

#18 Amazing Grace St Austin’s Choir

Lyrics by John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

#19 Anima Christi St Austin’s Choir

Lyrics: Anon translated by John Henry Newman

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification;
Body of Christ, be my salvation;
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins;
Water of Christ's side, wash out my stains;
Passion of Christ, my comfort be;
O good Jesu, listen to me;
In Thy wounds I fain would hide;
Ne'er to be parted from Thy side;
Guard me, should the foe assail me;
Call me when my life shall fail me;
Bid me come to Thee above,
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.

ST AUSTIN’S CHOIR

One of the best choirs in the area, St Austin's Choir enthrals audiences everywhere

they perform with music from the Renaissance to present day. This wonderful mixed

adult choir comprises up to twenty talented musicians and can provide instrumentalists

as well. The choir's primary purpose is to provide music for the services at St. Austin's Church,
which is one of two churches that make up the parish of St Austin's and The English
Martyrs in the Catholic Diocese of Leeds. In addition the choir also travels to other
churches to sing at weddings. In the past ten years the choir has toured Paris, Rome
(2012 and 2017) and Innsbruck - singing at some of the most iconic buildings in those
cities. Nearer to home the choir regularly sings at the Chantry Chapel in Wakefield and
annually at St Anne's Cathedral in Leeds. In September 2023 the choir toured Spain
and sang recitals in Avila, Segovia and central Madrid.

CHOIR DIRECTOR

The choir is directed by Patrick Ganley who

has a great love and appreciation for sacred

music from over the last thousand years.

Patrick has directed the choir for nearly twenty

years, having being a member of the choir for

the previous fifteen. As well as the choir he

organises the schola at St Austin's which

provides traditional plainchant for services

and also in some concerts. In the Parish of St

Austin's and the English Martyrs he is also

school governor and a member of the

Finance Committee. Outside these

commitments Patrick enjoys spending time

with his five grandchildren. A keen fan of

rugby league Patrick is looking forward to see

Wakefield Trinity back in Super League next

year!

COMPOSER

Paul Granger was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and he was taught to play the piano by his father while at primary school. He went to St Cuthbert's Grammar School in Newcastle (a contemporary of Sting), where he was able to include Music in his studies and obtained a grade A at A-level. He subsequently obtained a degree in Physics from Newcastle University and an MSc in Meteorology from Reading University and has worked at several companies and locations as an IT Systems Developer before fully retiring in 2019.

He has sung bass in various church choirs over the years and also played in rock bands occasionally. In the late 1970s he wrote and demoed songs with his friend Richard Robinson. They never had any commercial success, although they had a song signed with EMI which was never used.

He was part of a prog rock band called Xonique. along with his friends Richard Robinson and Jimmy Towler. This was a keyboards, guitars and percussion outfit influenced by progressive rock bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. They wrote a rock concept album in 1980 entitled "After The Bomb", although again there was no commercial interest. Paul later played in a couple of electronic bands and a rock gospel band in the 1980s.

Following a job-related move to Yorkshire in 2003, he joined St Austin's Church Choir in Wakefield and was inspired to start writing music for the choir in late 2006 with a piece to celebrate the refurbishment of the Church's medieval statue of Saint Anne. He has since written a Mass setting, a number of Christmas carols and various other pieces for soloists and SATB choir. Several of these have been used in Church services at St Austin's and choir concerts.

SOLOISTS

Yorkshire born soprano, Suzi Saperia, graduated with

MusB(Hons) from The University of Manchester, a winner

of the Proctor-Gregg Recital Prize, and went on to obtain

her MMus in Vocal Studies at the Guildhall School of

Music & Drama. Suzi has since established herself as a

versatile performer working across the country on both

concert and opera platforms working with WNO Youth

Opera, Opera Anywhere and Northern Opera Group

appearing on TV (BBC Songs of Praise) and radio (BBC

Radio 3), and performing as a member of numerous

ensembles such as The Portrait Choir, Britten Sinfonia

Voices, The Leading Ladies and the Tallis Consort. Suzi

is also a passionate music leader working with vulnerable

people in marginalised communities. Suzi is proud to be a

Live Music Now musician, a Creative Associate for Leeds

Playhouse and a Community Engagement Musician for

Lost Chord UK.

Lorraine Branson discovered a love of performing music at

an early age, developing skills on the flute and viola in her

teens. During this time she sang with Scunthorpe Coop-

erate Junior Choir, highlights of which included meeting

Bob Chilcott and John Rutter, and representing Britain for

events surrounding the Australian Olympics in 2000,

singing in the Sydney Opera House.

Lorraine graduated in Classical Music at Bretton Hall,

where her love of choral singing truly developed. She has

since sung in many choral groups, such as the Yorkshire

Philharmonic Choir, St Peter's Consort, the Bluebird Singers,

the Rudgate Singers, and of course, St Austin’s Choir.

Lorraine has also performed as the alto soloist in Handel's

Messiah, and regularly performs in duets and groups

as part of St Austins Choir.