Standing at the convergence of Pitt and George streets next to Central Station, Christ Church St Laurence (CCSL) has been a centre of Anglo-Catholic worship since its foundation in 1845. Built during the Gothic Revival and the start of the Oxford Movement within the Anglican Church, the building and what happens inside it have been part of Sydney’s musical fabric for almost two centuries. At the church’s dedication in 1845, newspaper reports commented on the good order and dignity of the singing and from that point on, there has been a continuous choral tradition. In September 2018, I was honoured to be appointed as the parish’s Director of Music, succeeding the eminent and internationally respected church musician Dr Neil McEwan AM FRSCM. Neil had taken on the role in 1980 and during his tenure, hundreds of choristers have sung under his inspired direction.

Sam Allchurch. Photo supplied

CCSL boasts two choirs of about 20 singers each – one sings Solemn High Mass on Sunday mornings, the other Solemn Evensong on Sunday evenings. Between the two choirs, the repertoire spans from Gregorian chant through to specially commissioned works. For High Mass, the music...