In much the same way as a variety of liturgical expression is encouraged and nurtured in the parish, so the music that enhances worship is drawn from many traditions. The parish has invested in Together in Song (TIS), the new edition of the hugely popular Australian Hymn Book, as the basis for its congregational singing, and supplements this resource in a number of different ways. Congregational settings of the Ordinary in common use include the 'Series III' settings by Hubbard and Cocking (Salisbury), and William Mathias, Marty Haugen's Mass of Creation, the New English Folk Mass from the New English Hymnal and, at traditional services, Merbecke's famous setting from his Booke of Common Prayer Noted.
The 10.30 am Solemn Mass uses The New English Hymnal in addition to TIS, while a plainsong or SATB choir chants the Propers and sings the psalms from A Manual of Plainsong or the Parish Psalter. Part or all of the Ordinary is occasionally sung to a choral setting, such as the 'short' services of Tallis, Wood, Byrd and like composers, while motets from a very wide range of musical traditions and styles are sung during communion. On special occasions such as the Patronal Festival, an augmented choir will usually be assembled and more ambitious works learned and performed for the occasion.
The choir also underpins the worship on special festivals or holy days celebrated during the week with an early evening service. Holy Week is particularly busy, as the full complement of special services, including Tenebrae on Wednesday in Holy Week, and special liturgies on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and at the Easter Vigil, is offered every year.
The 6.30 pm Mass, like the 9.00 am Sung Mass, draws heavily on the chants of the Taizé and Iona communities, often of a more meditative and reflective character.
The acoustics of the church are resonant and wonderful for singing, which allows a lot of unaccompanied music to be performed without amplification. There is, however, a conventionally disposed two manual and pedal electronic organ and a high quality Roland digital piano in regular use at the 10.30 am and 9.00 am masses respectively, while the guitar features at the 6.30 pm service. For special occasions, parishioners who play orchestral instruments form an ad hoc orchestra to embellish the musical offering.
