Music and Arts
Music is an essential part of the mission of Christ Church Claremont which has established itself as a centre of musical excellence in Perth.
Christ Church established our professional choir, Schola Aedis Christi, and in 2014 Stewart Smith (head of classical music at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and one of Australia's leading liturgical organists) was appointed as Organist. Together with the other musicians here they have been bringing the beauty of sacred music to Claremont and the wider community.
Director of Music - Dr Andrew Sutherland
Dr. Andrew Sutherland is completed degrees in music at The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, and his PhD at Monash University. He has published journal articles on a range of topics relating to music performance, music education, and musicology. Andrew has enjoyed an extensive career as a tenor, performing throughout Australia, the UK, and other parts of the world. Having taught music at all levels in Australia, UK, and more recently, Hong Kong, his interest for music performance by young people has consequently guided much of his research. Andrew’s most recent monograph, Children in Opera, received critical acclaim and is a companion text to his next publication with Lexington, Queer Opera. He was also the lead editor for the publication, Revolutions in Music Education. Andrew is currently the Director of Music at Methodist Ladies College and an adjunct lecturer for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Supporting Music at Christ Church
A Lay Clerk Scholarship is a $5000 award that allows Christ Church Claremont to appoint a professional choral singer for one year. Christ Church is becoming a centre for musical excellence in Perth, and central to this was the establishment of the professional choir, Schola Aedis Christi, in 2013. The choir is comprised of some of Perth’s finest vocalists, and provides music for regular Sunday worship as well as Feast Days, Evensongs, other special services and weddings throughout the year. The maintenance of a strong professional choir is not only vital in the communication of Liturgy, but also provides a training ground for gifted young choral scholars, who, by audition, join the choir on an educational basis to learn from the musical expertise and experience of Schola Aedis Christi. This opportunity plays a very important role in the training of young musicians, which is central to our mission at Christ Church Claremont.
Lay Clerk Scholarships may be donated personally, in memoriam, or on behalf of an organisation. If you are interested in supporting the Music Foundation at Christ Church in this or another way, please contact us.
Bellringing
Christ Church is also the only parish church in Perth with Bells and has a very enthusistic team who ring regularly on Sundays as well as at other special services including weddings.