Boys' Choir begin residence at Bradford Church

Unfortunately, due to misunderstandings, many choirs in Catholic churches simply disappeared in the years after the Second Vatican Council. So, what did the Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy (SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM) actually say about choirs and the treasury of sacred music?

112. The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.

114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches; but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs.

No where in these excepts from does it call for choirs to be abandoned! What it does call for is a balance in the role played by the choir in worship, alongside the part played by the congregation.

In the Liturgy, many people have roles. Hence we think of the lector whose job is to read from the scriptures, the Deacon who proclaims the Gospel, the Altar Servers who assist in the Sanctuary, the Priest who presides over the celebration, the Congregation who sing and speak responses and prayers. All of these have tasks 'proper' to their role - it is indeed the same for the choir. They have the joint endeavour to both lead the congregation in singing, as well as to offer music for the glory of God in their name.

Here in the Diocese of Leeds, we take seriously the call of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council to 'diligently promote' choirs and to preserve the 'treasury of sacred music.' Mass and Vespers are sung 5 days a week in our Cathedral church by our Boys' and Girls' choirs (click here for the music list.)

From time to time, our Cathedral choirs sing in Parishes throughout the Diocese, as also have our Bradford Boys' and Girls' Choirs. From this Sunday, a new and innovative arrangement will be taking place in a Bradford Parish: the Bradford Boys' Choir will become choir in residence at St. Josephs Church, Bradford.

The Boys' choir will sing once a month in St. Josephs Church, complementing the fine congregational singing that is led by cantor and organ each week. It is hoped in the future that other churches throughout the Diocese will be able to benefit from arrangements: indeed, plans are already afoot for the creation of a liturgical boys' choir in Huddersfield .

Choirs on Song in Ilkley

They may not have sung all the way on top of the moors as the famous chorus goes, but the Bradford Boys' and Girls' choirs recently delighted concert goers in the historic town of Ilkley.

All Saints Parish church was packed for the Gala Concert which featured a wide range of music ranging from 14th Century Catalan songs through to a medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.'

The Girls' choir entertained the audience with songs from Africa (complete with percussion) alongside 'Hail Holy Queen' from Sister Act and Caccini's Ave Maria. The boys' complemented these selections by singing songs from the Llibre Vermell and works by Peter Hurford and Mervyn Cousins.

The choirs opened the concert together with the Gloria from Haydn's 'St. Nicholas' Mass, also joining together to sing the spiritual 'I am his child' by Moses Hogan.

The concert was rounded off with organ solos fro the two conductors: Christopher Johns played Percy Whitlock's evocative 'Folk tune' while Christopher McElroy roused the audience with a transcription of War march of the Priests by Felix Mendelssohn.

MP supports cathedral choirs

Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead recently published an article praising the work of music and choirs in Cathedrals in England, both Anglican and Catholic.

Describing Cathedral choirs as a 'national musical treasure chest' the MP makes the case for Cathedral Academies as a model for future choir schools. In his article Frank Field holds up the Diocese of Leeds music program as an example of thinking for the future outside of the traditional 'choir school' approach.

With 35 schools now working in partnership with the Diocese, and upwards of 1500 children singing across West Yorkshire on a weekly basis, the Dioceses of Leeds music program is now the largest Cathedral/ Diocesan music program in the UK.

Torchlight procession

This week saw the revival of a long treasured occasion: the Batley torchlight procession. Torchlight processions are familiar to those who travel on Pilgrimage to Lourdes each year, but less common here in England.

The procession began with the singing of the 'new' Lourdes Hymn 'Holy Virgin, by God's Decree' which was followed by a welcome from Bishop Roche. The Homily was preached by Bishop Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and chair of the Bishops' Conference Liturgy committee.

The procession ended with solemn Pontifical Benediction in St. Mary of the Angels Church. As the procession entered the church the choir sang two contrasting settings of the Hail Mary: 'Bogoroditse Devo' from the All Night Vigil by Rachmaninov, and a setting in Latin by Victoria.

Benediction saw the singing of the traditional plainsong melodies of the O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo, alongside Palestrina's motet 'Adoramus Te.' The service concluded with all singing the seasonal antiphon to the Blessed Mother: Salve Regina.