Funeral Music for Organists, Keyboard Players, Singers
Repertoire Suggestions & Digital Sheet Music Downloads

THE FUNERAL SERVICE - Where does the music fit in?

A typical Funeral Service might consist of the following:

• A Prelude before the service. Provides a pleasant and welcoming ambience for family, friends and guest as they arrive at the church or funeral chapel.

• A Song of Farewell: Many funeral services have a "final commendation". Usually holy water and incense are used to honour the deceased's body as a former temple of the Holy Spirit. A song or incidental piece to accompany this action adds to the symbolic gestures. Especially suitable for this part of the service are songs such as "May the angels lead you into paradise" (In Paradisum) .

Noel began his musical studies at an early age under the Brigidine sisters, and by 11 was a boy treble in the Choir of St. Augustine's College, Brookvale in Sydney under the direction of friar and musician Patrick Fahey O.S.A, Peter Bohrsmann and Ann Sutcliffe.

He studied music in the Music department of the University of Sydney under Professor Platt, Winsome Evans, Peter Sculthorpe, Nicholas Routley, Allan Marret and Graham Hardie where he sang in Pro Musica Choir, the Sydney University Chamber Choir and the Choir of St James, King st. Sydney 1979-80 (directed by Walter Sutcliffe). He joined the Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral choir in 1981-82 (directed by David Russell), touring Europe with them in January of 1982, and began his theological studies in 1982 at St Columban’s seminary and then St Patrick’s Manly 1983-87. He became the Praefectus Musicae for the Seminary Choir (ATTBB) 1985-87. During this time he founded and directed the Ars Gratia Christi Chamber choir (SATB). On the completion of the S.T.B. (the Roman degree) and the Bachelor of Theology (the Sydney College of Divinity degree) he began teaching at Mercy College Chatswood (1988), where he directed the SSA choir, and then at St Vincent’s College Potts Point (1989-1994) where he directed the SSAA choir. He was also appointed Director of Music at Mary Immaculate church Waverley (1988-94) for the Vigil Masses, and also directed the John Paul Choir. During this period he also sang on Sundays with the Choir of Christchurch St. Laurence and was a member of the concert tour choirs to both New Zealand and Europe. In 1995 he taught theology and literature at the Masaryk University in Brno, the Czech Republic, where he was a professional member of the Brno Madrigal Quintet, directed by Roman Valek, and toured in Europe. He was also a member of the Choir of the Brno Konservatoř (Conservatorium), also under the direction of Roman Valek – competing in the international choral competition at Cantonigros in Spain. During 1995, he also toured Austria with the choir of St George’s Cathedral Limburg (Lahn) under the direction of Hans Bernhardt. On returning to Australia in 1996, he sang with the Choir at St Francis Paddington, as well as subbing with the new professional choir at St James’ King St and the Australian Chamber Orchestra Voices on Australian tour. He was appointed director of Music at St Francis Paddington after the Easter Season of 2006.

To engage an organist, to discuss planning arrangements and fees, the choice of music and other musicians, telephone the choir secretary on 0431 457 441.