James Gallagher
Director of Music
James Gallagher was born in Liverpool in 1985 and became a chorister at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral in 1993 at the age of eight. His interest in sacred music continued throughout his school years and subsequently he became the Organ Scholar in 2005 at the Cathedral. Following this, James studied Church Music at Canterbury Christ Church University where he was awarded a First Class Honours Degree and in 2011 he gained a Licentiate of The Royal School of Church Music. In 2008 James took up the post as Director of Music at St Mary the Virgin, Walton-on-the-Hill. He manages to combine his work at St Mary’s with his various roles as a freelance musician and composer. His interest in a wide range of musical styles and genres enables him to work in many different fields such as choir training, musical theatre direction and composition, and is much in demand as a teacher of piano and voice. In 2016, James co-founded Walton Makes Music, a local community music festival for musicians of all ages and abilities. The festival concluded with a spectacular performance of Benjamin Britten’s famous opera Noye’s Fludde which included professional musicians, St Mary’s Church Choir and forty school children from across the region. In his compositional work, James’s music has been performed in cathedrals and churches across the country and he has also written music for short films. In early 2020 he was commissioned to compose music for Liverpool Football Club.
Music at St Mary's
Welcome to the music page of St Mary the Virgin, Walton Church, Walton on the Hill. Music plays an important role in the liturgy of the Church, whether it be Sunday Eucharist, Choral Evensong, Weddings or Funerals.
The Church Choir
The Church Choir sings at services in St Mary's throughout the liturgical year. The choir also performs at concerts and recitals. It has developed a ranging repertoire, specialisig in upper voiced music of the Anglican tradition as well as choral music for mixed voices. We enjoy the challenge of singing music that encompasses a variety of styles, such as, English Tudor music, music of the early continental schools, the French Romanic tradition, English Victorian music, twentieth century English church music and contemporary music. The choir has gained a good musical reputation in the local area and further afield. St Mary's choir also takes annual summer tours. The choir has been fortuate to sing at various cathedrals ad churches throughout the country. The singers are a friendly and diverse group who enjoy both the music and social rewards of being in the choir. We often collaborate with singers and organists from both Liverpool Cathedrals and other Parish Churches for services and concerts.
The choir is keen to welcome new members of all ages. We rehearse at St Mary's church Monday evenings between 7 and 8.30 pm. For information about joining the choir please contact the parish administrator by telephone or email.