Holmer Green Methodist Church

                Canticle began back in 1981 and over the years we have visited many different churches, clubs, schools and prisons, a Volvo garage and a huge barn! All this has meant that we  built up a considerable repertoire and reputation for providing Christian entertainment that is both enjoyable and yet thought provoking.

                It was always been our desire to do things as well as practically possible. We did see our role as encouraging “Church families” in their faith and mission. To this end with “image” playing such an important part in today’s society we put a package together that both encourage the Christian and we hope the non believer to attend. Many of our bookings came  from church’s that are looking for a return visit, - perhaps this was the best recommendation of all!  

Our line up consists of:  

                Canticle was  based at Holmer Green Methodist Church, Buckinghamshire.  We were all grateful for the continued support and friendships made from so many people at our own church and from further a field. All members of the group are Christians wishing to share their gifts of music and faith with others.

                Our latest album (7th) is called “Solutions” and was available on CD (£8.00) and cassette (£6.00) This recording contains a good representation of the styles of music that we perform. From Ballads like, “A Love So Rare” to Popular classic’s with “From a Distance” through to Rock  “Jesus is my Rock”. With over 70% of the music written by members of the group, It is perhaps why the main comment received “I’ve listened to it so much I think I will have worn it out!”            

             This perhaps, was  one of our strengths; working and exploring our faith together, writing words and music as a team, means we can use every member’s talents. The lyrics could then be can be easily identified by our audience and yet avoid the “church language” that seems to accompany much of the music produced these days.

We were very fortunate to be able to record our albums at one of the best Christian recording studio’s in England “Ffg.” “Free for Good”. - Bredon Gloucs.  We acknowledge with grateful thanks the talent of Dave Pick. Owner and CO-producer.  Due to the contacts of “Ffg” we had two of our albums released in Ghana Africa.   1000, copies of each album were licensed. 

                We have performed widely in this country with us venturing as far North as Darlington, Hull/Grimsby and with concerts in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, most of the Counties of Southern England, including finally Sussex which had eluded us for sometime.  In 1998 we performed in The “Malvern Priory” our most prestigious venue yet, completed a mini- tour of North Devon, visited a prison, and completed several more local venues. During the latter half of ‘1998 and early part of ‘1999 we  teamed up with ROYAL NATIONAL MISSION TO DEEP-SEA FISHERMEN, to do a series of concerts in the South East.   

              We also joined forces with the Chrysalis Trust for a concert at a football ground! and 999 finished with many concerts in the North of England. Year 2,000 saw  us revisiting Devon again!    

             Our most demanding project was  a week’s tour of Cornwall.  eight  concerts in seven days exhausting! But great fun -and fulfilling ambitions for some. At the last estimate we had covered some 250 + venues not bad for any group.

                   We have lead worship for the Methodist Synod and performed at The Free Methodist Church Conference. Canticle has also had a considerable amount of airplay on local radio stations up and down the country.   Including London’s Capital Radio - Live interviews on Radio Trent, BBC Radio Berkshire, Chiltern Radio and our own local station “1170”. Plus many others advertising concerts and playing our recordings.  We have also represented the Christian music scene on the BBC “Doomsday project”.  Our largest audience to date estimated at five Million was our TV appearance singing “Just A Prayer Away” on Wes country TV.

               Canticle ceased performing concerts in 2004, the remaining groups members decided to set up a production company to write and produce Christian musicals.

                The first of these called “The Road to Emmaus” was completed in 2005 and ran for 4 “sold out” nights.  A CD was released using the original cast members recorded in our Church. Local churches were contacted to make up a cast, choir and band. 

                All the music and drama was written and directed by group members, the original score is still available if any Church wish’s to use this resource.  

Picture Gallery