This tem sees two of our BYC choirs plus the Choir of All Saints, Huddersfield perform as part of the University of Bradford Spring/ Summer 08 concert series.
On Saturday 8th March, the Bradford Girls' Choir will join the University Singers and Orchestra in a performance of John Rutter's 'Requiem' alongside other English music.
Wednesday 9th April sees a concert in the glass atrium that dominates the universities skyline entitled 'Young Voices' which will feature St. Bedes MVC and the choir of All Saints Catholic College, Huddersfield. Exactly one week later, both choirs will feature in a singing competition in the Royal Albert Hall in London!
Click here for further details about both these concerts, as well as many other musical and artistic events that will be taking place at the university this term.
Friday, 29 February 2008
Thursday, 28 February 2008
BYC on BBC R4
The Bradford Youth Choir today broadcast the Daily Service live on BBC R4 LW. The BBC's longest running program, the Daily Service is transmitted live each day from Emmanuel Church in Didsbury. The service is usually led by a professional choir, but occasionally choirs are invited to lead the music, so it was a great privilege for 50 youngsters from Bradford to be able to use their musical talents to an listenership of around 200,000 people.
The Bradford Youth Choir is part of the Diocese of Leeds singing program: the largest catholic singing program in the UK. Drawn from Catholic schools across Bradford and Keighley, the young singers sing both in and out of school under the direction of Diocese of Leeds musicians Christopher Johns, Charlotte Kitson and Christopher McElroy.
The broadcast can be listened to for the next seven days on the BBC's 'listen back' feature. Click here to listen (Thursday 28th February, Persistent Prayer)
The Bradford Youth Choir is part of the Diocese of Leeds singing program: the largest catholic singing program in the UK. Drawn from Catholic schools across Bradford and Keighley, the young singers sing both in and out of school under the direction of Diocese of Leeds musicians Christopher Johns, Charlotte Kitson and Christopher McElroy.
The broadcast can be listened to for the next seven days on the BBC's 'listen back' feature. Click here to listen (Thursday 28th February, Persistent Prayer)
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Diocese of Leeds choirs hit European City of Culture!
Liverpool is the European City of Culture 2008 - as a result, many special events are taking place around the city. This Wednesday, two schools choirs from the Diocese of Leeds accepted an invitation to perform at Liverpool Hope University.
The Concert took place on the Everton Campus, in the great hall at Cornerstone. The concert entitled 'OPAL voices' involved St. Bedes Male Voice Choir, Bradford and All Saints Catholic College, Huddersfield alongside St. Francis of Assisi Academy in Liverpool. The choirs were welcomed to Liverpool Hope University by Philip Duffy, Director of Performance and Exhibitions (and for many years Master of the Music at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, building up the fine choral tradition that exists there today.)
Both All Saints and St. Bedes choirs only began life in September of this year, working in partnership with the Diocese of Leeds music department who direct the choir in each school. In April both choirs will compete against seven others choirs from around the country in a competition in the Royal Albert Hall in London to win a place in the coveted Choir Olympics which take place this Summer in Austria.
Each choir sang a selection of their repertoire, beginning and ending the concert with all the choirs singing on stage together. The Choir of St Francis of Assisi was directed by Phillip Arkwright, Sub Organist at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The choirs of St. Bedes and All Saints were Directed by Christopher McElroy, Assistant Director of Music for the Diocese of Leeds.
After the concert the children from All Saints received an unexpected treat when they went to see the Metropolitan Cathedral. They entered the cathedral to find that the final rehearsal of a new work by John Tavener was being rehearsed: his Requiem, composed for the 2008 City of Culture celebrations. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Vasily Petrenko left the children spellbound for 20 minutes before they boarded their coach back to West Yorkshire!
Monday, 25 February 2008
HCPT Charity Concert
Each year HCPT organise a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Marian shrine in the South of France. As part of the fund raising for the local HCPT a charity concert was staged at St. Winefrides Catholic Church in Wibsey, Bradford featuring local choirs and soloists.
Featured soloist was baritone Mr Dominic Rose, a member of Leeds Cathedral Adult Choir and a local music teacher. Dominic enthused the audience with a wide variety of music ranging from 'Panis Angelicus' through to 'The Last Chord' by Arthur Sullivan.
The concert opened with St. Bedes Male Voice Choir under the direction of Chris McElroy. In just 6 weeks time the choir will compete in the OPAL Choir competition in the Royal Albert Hall in London! This was the first of 4 'warm-up' performances for the big day in April, and the choir did a great job singing music from America, England, Italy and Spain. Watch out for more info on this choir soon!
BYC works with 18 catholic schools in the Bradford area, and we were fortunate that two of our primary school choirs were able to perform at this concert, braving the sub zero temperatures outdoors! Hosts St Winefrides delighted the audience with a performance of 'All things bright and beautiful.' This was followed by St. Anthony's, Clayton who sang the Lenten song 'Praise to you, O Christ our Savior.' Both choirs, trained by Christopher Johns (Choral Director for the Diocese of Leeds) filled the church with their singing!
The evening concluded with performances from the Bradford Boys' Choir, the elite choir for Boys singing in Bradford. The choir sang music by Malcolm Archer, Vaughan Williams and Moses Hogan.
After the concert choirs and audience alike retired to the church hall for refreshments and to learn more about the work of HCPT.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Redefining Outreach
Click here to read an article about the 'outreach' singing program here in the Diocese of Leeds. The article is taken from Church Music Quarterly, the magazine of the Royal School of Church Music.
With a readership of 80,000 worldwide, CMQ is an influential periodical illustrating the happenings of the church music world. Each issue offers a wide range of articles and interviews by distinguished musicians, theologians and scholars, providing expert advice, information and inspiration for readers.
Redefining Outreach, written by Benjamin Saunders, Director of Music for the Diocese of Leeds illustrates how the Diocese of Leeds has broken new ground in its Diocesan singing program. Unlike the traditional Anglican Cathedral model, here in the Diocese of Leeds we consider all of our singing schools to be 'Choir schools' in their own right - each receiving training from high calibre cathedral musicians.
This article was published in ‘Church Music Quarterly’ June 2007 and is reproduced with permission of The Royal School of Church Music, with thanks. It may not be further reproduced without the permission of the RSCM.
With a readership of 80,000 worldwide, CMQ is an influential periodical illustrating the happenings of the church music world. Each issue offers a wide range of articles and interviews by distinguished musicians, theologians and scholars, providing expert advice, information and inspiration for readers.
Redefining Outreach, written by Benjamin Saunders, Director of Music for the Diocese of Leeds illustrates how the Diocese of Leeds has broken new ground in its Diocesan singing program. Unlike the traditional Anglican Cathedral model, here in the Diocese of Leeds we consider all of our singing schools to be 'Choir schools' in their own right - each receiving training from high calibre cathedral musicians.
This article was published in ‘Church Music Quarterly’ June 2007 and is reproduced with permission of The Royal School of Church Music, with thanks. It may not be further reproduced without the permission of the RSCM.
Sunday, 17 February 2008
One year and running!
Happy birthday dear blog!!
It is now one year since we have begun chronicling happenings in the Diocese of Leeds Music Department - with singing programs in Leeds, Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield there's plenty going on!
Click here for the very first post once year ago - I hope you enjoy reading these posts, and you find them informative!
It is now one year since we have begun chronicling happenings in the Diocese of Leeds Music Department - with singing programs in Leeds, Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield there's plenty going on!
Click here for the very first post once year ago - I hope you enjoy reading these posts, and you find them informative!
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Guardian letters page
The Guardian today (7th February 2008) carries a letter citing the positive example of the Diocese of Leeds singing outreach program in Bradford. It comes in the wake of recent media coverage about the idea of choir school 'academies' proposed by the government.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
'If churches are really interested in giving large numbers of children the benefit of cathedral musical expertise, they should look at the Bradford Choral Project, based at St Anne's RC Cathedral in Leeds, which supports four full-time musicians, probably more than any other UK cathedral.
They not only service the liturgical needs of the cathedral, but provide fully trained choral directors to go out into over 20 church schools in Bradford to run non-selective school choirs. This gives every child in those schools an opportunity to access cathedral-standard musical and choral expertise.'
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
'If churches are really interested in giving large numbers of children the benefit of cathedral musical expertise, they should look at the Bradford Choral Project, based at St Anne's RC Cathedral in Leeds, which supports four full-time musicians, probably more than any other UK cathedral.
They not only service the liturgical needs of the cathedral, but provide fully trained choral directors to go out into over 20 church schools in Bradford to run non-selective school choirs. This gives every child in those schools an opportunity to access cathedral-standard musical and choral expertise.'
To read the full letter, click here.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Organ Concert - Simon Lindley
LEEDS CATHEDRAL LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES
Spring and Lent
Thursday 21 February 1.10pm
Leeds University Union Music Society
Chamber Choir
Totus Tuus Henryk Gorecki
Crucifixus Antonio Lotti
Deep River Arr. Norman Luboff
Lamentation Edward C. Bairstow
The Silver Swan Orlando Gibbons
Now is the Month of Maying Thomas Morley
O Lord the Maker Thomas Morley
The Chamber Choir is part of the larger parent society, LUUMS, in which there are two choral groups. This is the smaller, auditioned ensemble and the choir perform challenging and exciting repertoire, both sacred and secular, on a regular basis around the city. The conductor Matthew Oglesby draws experience from Blackburn and Leeds Cathedrals: the first as a chorister and the latter as Choral and Conducting Scholar. All members of the choir are students at the university and come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
Spring and Lent
Thursday 21 February 1.10pm
Leeds University Union Music Society
Chamber Choir
Totus Tuus Henryk Gorecki
Crucifixus Antonio Lotti
Deep River Arr. Norman Luboff
Lamentation Edward C. Bairstow
The Silver Swan Orlando Gibbons
Now is the Month of Maying Thomas Morley
O Lord the Maker Thomas Morley
The Chamber Choir is part of the larger parent society, LUUMS, in which there are two choral groups. This is the smaller, auditioned ensemble and the choir perform challenging and exciting repertoire, both sacred and secular, on a regular basis around the city. The conductor Matthew Oglesby draws experience from Blackburn and Leeds Cathedrals: the first as a chorister and the latter as Choral and Conducting Scholar. All members of the choir are students at the university and come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
Monday, 4 February 2008
Bach in Leeds
At 3pm on Sunday, 17th February, Leeds Cathedral Choir will perform J.S.Bach's St John Passion in Leeds Cathedral under the direction of Dr Christopher Johns, accompanied by members of the LUUMS (Leeds UniversityUnion Musical Society) Orchestra. Admission is free of charge, with a retiring collection being taken at the end.
J.S. Bach's St John Passion has moved the hearts of the faithful eversince its first performance in 1724. As will be familiar from readings ofthePassion Story in the liturgies of Holy Week, the parts of the Evangelist, Our Lord, Pilate and other individuals are sung by soloists. The chorus takes on the role of the crowd, calling for the release of the murderer Barrabas, mocking our Saviour as the crown of thorns is placed on His headand ultimately screaming for His barbaric execution.
Unlike conventional readings of the Passion Story, however, Bach's St JohnPassion includes settings of texts not taken from the Holy Scriptures which meditate on and try to make sense of what is happening. As Christ carries His Cross to the hill where He is to die, a bass soloist entreats us to flee our torments and go also to Golgotha, where, by faith, we may find release; and as our Lord breathes his last, a solo soprano "pours out her heart in floods of tears" at the death of "my Jesus".
The response of the faithful to both the Passion Story and the reflective arias makes up the third part of the compostion and takes the form of chorales (German hymns) sung to tunes which, for the most part, will also be familiar to an English audience. And so it is that the piece closes with a hymn contemplating our own mortality and the wonder of the gift of eternal life.
"O Lord, let your dear angels carry my soul to Abraham's bosom at the end ofmy days; Let my body sleep in peace, free from pain and torment, until the day of judgement.Then wake me from death, so that my eyes may see Thee in great joy, Thou Son of God, My Saviour on the throne of grace!Lord Jesus Christ, hear my cry. I will praise you for all eternity!"
For further information, please contact the Music Office on 0113 244 8634 Monday to Thursday between 10.30am and 3.30pm during term time.
J.S. Bach's St John Passion has moved the hearts of the faithful eversince its first performance in 1724. As will be familiar from readings ofthePassion Story in the liturgies of Holy Week, the parts of the Evangelist, Our Lord, Pilate and other individuals are sung by soloists. The chorus takes on the role of the crowd, calling for the release of the murderer Barrabas, mocking our Saviour as the crown of thorns is placed on His headand ultimately screaming for His barbaric execution.
Unlike conventional readings of the Passion Story, however, Bach's St JohnPassion includes settings of texts not taken from the Holy Scriptures which meditate on and try to make sense of what is happening. As Christ carries His Cross to the hill where He is to die, a bass soloist entreats us to flee our torments and go also to Golgotha, where, by faith, we may find release; and as our Lord breathes his last, a solo soprano "pours out her heart in floods of tears" at the death of "my Jesus".
The response of the faithful to both the Passion Story and the reflective arias makes up the third part of the compostion and takes the form of chorales (German hymns) sung to tunes which, for the most part, will also be familiar to an English audience. And so it is that the piece closes with a hymn contemplating our own mortality and the wonder of the gift of eternal life.
"O Lord, let your dear angels carry my soul to Abraham's bosom at the end ofmy days; Let my body sleep in peace, free from pain and torment, until the day of judgement.Then wake me from death, so that my eyes may see Thee in great joy, Thou Son of God, My Saviour on the throne of grace!Lord Jesus Christ, hear my cry. I will praise you for all eternity!"
For further information, please contact the Music Office on 0113 244 8634 Monday to Thursday between 10.30am and 3.30pm during term time.
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Latin Mass
Each first Sunday of the Month, the 11am Solemn Mass at the Cathedral is celebrated in Latin.
Many people do not realise that the 'normal' language for Roman Catholic worship is in fact Latin - the second Vatican Council didn't decree that in future Mass was to be said in the vernacular, rather it opened up the opportunity for the use of the vernacular, particularly in the administration of the sacraments. The unfortunate wholesale abandonment of the use of Latin in worship also has negative consequences for the 'treasury of sacred music' which is largely in Latin.
Many people do not realise that the 'normal' language for Roman Catholic worship is in fact Latin - the second Vatican Council didn't decree that in future Mass was to be said in the vernacular, rather it opened up the opportunity for the use of the vernacular, particularly in the administration of the sacraments. The unfortunate wholesale abandonment of the use of Latin in worship also has negative consequences for the 'treasury of sacred music' which is largely in Latin.
We are fortunate in Leeds Cathedral to have the best of both worlds, with Mass being offered in both Latin and English, and with the choir singing repertoire from the great repertoire of sacred music from Gregorian chant to polyphony.
Today's Latin Mass was extra special as the celebrant was out Bishop, who this weekend was carrying out his visitation of our Cathedral. In his closing remarks he thanked the clergy, choir and congregation for continuing and keeping alive the Latin tradition of our church.
Music was led by the Cathedral Boys' and Adult choir - the mass setting at the monthly Latin mass setting is Gregorian chant, alongside motets by Frank and Viadana.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
The Light of Christ
As part of evangelisation here in the Diocese of Leeds, we are currently engaged in 'Come and See' - a process for renewal. The third year of the program is entitled 'Being the local church: Celebrating being Catholic.'
This week saw children from catholic schools from across the diocese gather for a special service entitled 'The Light of Christ' which included the particuarly 'Catholic' form of devotion - Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Liturgy was led by the Bishop, who explained to the packed Cathedral about the different elements of his Coat of Arms, and what it says about his beliefs and ancestry.
Music for the Mass was directed by Christopher Johns, choral director for the Diocese of Leeds alongside the other choral director, Charlotte Kitson who served as cantor. The 70 strong choir comprised of children from 3 BYC primary schools - St. Clares, Fagley, St. Winefides and St Williams. Situated in the fine ock carved choir stalls they led the congregation in singing the hymns, acclamations and responses whilst also adding to the beauty and solemnity of the liturgy with the singing of Cesar Frank's 'Panis Angelicus during Exposition.
Pictures from the liturgy can be found on the Catholic Post website.
This week saw children from catholic schools from across the diocese gather for a special service entitled 'The Light of Christ' which included the particuarly 'Catholic' form of devotion - Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Liturgy was led by the Bishop, who explained to the packed Cathedral about the different elements of his Coat of Arms, and what it says about his beliefs and ancestry.
Music for the Mass was directed by Christopher Johns, choral director for the Diocese of Leeds alongside the other choral director, Charlotte Kitson who served as cantor. The 70 strong choir comprised of children from 3 BYC primary schools - St. Clares, Fagley, St. Winefides and St Williams. Situated in the fine ock carved choir stalls they led the congregation in singing the hymns, acclamations and responses whilst also adding to the beauty and solemnity of the liturgy with the singing of Cesar Frank's 'Panis Angelicus during Exposition.
Pictures from the liturgy can be found on the Catholic Post website.
Friday, 1 February 2008
The Choir: Boys don't sing (?)
On BBC 2 tonight, choirmaster Gareth Malone returned with a follow up series to 'The Choir.' Basing himself at a boy's school in Leicester, Gareth goes about building a boy's choir from scratch: 'The Choir: Boys Don't Sing'
Readers may be interested to know that here in the Diocese of Leeds we have two similar stories unfolding as we speak!
St Bedes Catholic School in Bradford (an all boys secondary school) began a boy's choir in September with the aim of competing in a choir competition in the Royal Albert Hall in April of this year. Now 5 months into their preparations, the St Bedes Male Voice Choir is starting to take shape. The Boys will be performing at concerts at Liverpool Hope University and Bradford University in the run up to their big performance in London on April 16th. The boys work very hard in rehearsal each week and are singing a wide range of music from renaissance polyphony to upbeat Spanish dance music!
Read about St Bedes MVC here - also you can read an article in the local paper, and even hear the boys singing and watch an interview with the headteacher.
All Saints Catholic College in Huddersfield (Mixed Secondary School) will also be performing in the competition at the Royal Albert Hall in London in April. The mixed voice choir, age ranged 11-16 have been working on songs in English, Latin and Macedonian - who said it was all just about music: they learn about different cultures and languages as well!
Read about All Saints here, plus click here for an article in the Huddersfield Examiner.
Both St. Bedes and All Saints recently appeared on the BBC themselves: BBC Songs of Praise! The choir are run by staff from the Diocese of Leeds music department as part of the school singing program: the largest such catholic program in the UK!
Readers may be interested to know that here in the Diocese of Leeds we have two similar stories unfolding as we speak!
St Bedes Catholic School in Bradford (an all boys secondary school) began a boy's choir in September with the aim of competing in a choir competition in the Royal Albert Hall in April of this year. Now 5 months into their preparations, the St Bedes Male Voice Choir is starting to take shape. The Boys will be performing at concerts at Liverpool Hope University and Bradford University in the run up to their big performance in London on April 16th. The boys work very hard in rehearsal each week and are singing a wide range of music from renaissance polyphony to upbeat Spanish dance music!
Read about St Bedes MVC here - also you can read an article in the local paper, and even hear the boys singing and watch an interview with the headteacher.
All Saints Catholic College in Huddersfield (Mixed Secondary School) will also be performing in the competition at the Royal Albert Hall in London in April. The mixed voice choir, age ranged 11-16 have been working on songs in English, Latin and Macedonian - who said it was all just about music: they learn about different cultures and languages as well!
Read about All Saints here, plus click here for an article in the Huddersfield Examiner.
Both St. Bedes and All Saints recently appeared on the BBC themselves: BBC Songs of Praise! The choir are run by staff from the Diocese of Leeds music department as part of the school singing program: the largest such catholic program in the UK!
Choir & Organ
The January/ February edition of Choir & Organ features an article on music in the Diocese of Leeds as part of their 'Cantus in Choro' series. Written by John Rowntree, organist of Douai Abbey the article is entitled 'Laying Solid Foundations.'
This article gives a really good overall flavor of what is happening musically here in the Diocese of Leeds, with over a 1000 children singing schools and churches throughout the Diocese each week.!
Choir & Organ have kindly given permission for the article to be posted for you to read online.
Click here to view.
This article gives a really good overall flavor of what is happening musically here in the Diocese of Leeds, with over a 1000 children singing schools and churches throughout the Diocese each week.!
Choir & Organ have kindly given permission for the article to be posted for you to read online.
Click here to view.
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