A reference in the diary of Francis Kilvert notes that a church band had supported the singing in this chapel-of-ease of St. Andrew’s Chippenham until the middle of the nineteenth century. The band was succeeded by two harmoniums, the second of which, a good example of work of Christophe & Etienne of Paris dates from the end of the nineteenth century, and was cleaned and overhauled by John Thompson of Oxford in 1985.

In 1987 a chamber organ of four stops (ca.1837) by John Clark of Bath was acquired and after an historically informed restoration by Martin Renshaw was tuned to Young’s temperament. Both instruments contribute liturgically appropriate pieces from the European heritage repertoire at each service, details are available via the St. Andrew’s Church website.

Dr. Christopher Kent has been honorary organist of the chapelry since 1973 and has also played an active role in the music of St Andrew’s Chippenham, as an Assistant or interregnum Organist and Choirmaster as required, and is dedicated to an historically informed restoration of the organ of St. Andrew’s Church.

The St.Nicholas Consort was formed in 1988 to perform at major festivals, their repertoire is drawn from liturgically appropriate music from the Renaissance to the present day. Membership of Consort is by invitation and/or audition. Secure general knowledge of music and of performance practices and fluent sight reading ability whether as a singer or instrumentalist are pre-requisites.

The repertoire of 2009 included Haydn’s ‘Seven Last Words’ performed in St.Andrew’s on Good Friday, at Harvest Festival, Purcell’s verse anthem ‘Rejoice in the Lord Alway’ with strings, and for the Christmas Carol Service, movements from seasonal cantatas of Buxtehude and Telemann again with instruments. For the Harvest Festival Evensong of 2010 the consort’s contributions will include Byrd’s anthem ‘Sing joyfully unto God our strength’ and a setting of Nunc Dimittis by Michael Tippett.’Enquiries for further information on the St. Nicholas Consort are most welcome - please click here.