Choral festival comes to Leeds

 (Photo: Robbie Ribeiro)

Members of church choirs from across the North of England will converge on Leeds Town Hall later this month for a choral festival.

Choristers of all ages are being invited to take part in the festival, called The Whole Company of Heaven.

The festival is being organised by the Royal School of Church Music and will be directed by Dr Simon Lindley, the City of Leeds organist.

Choristers will sing compositions by Francis Jackson and T Tertius Noble, both past organists of York Minster, and Ernest Bullock, as well as church music composers George Dyson and Charles Villiers Stanford.

The festival culminates in a special service at 3pm that will also mark the eve of the feast day of St Michael and All Angels with hymns on the theme of angels and saints. Preaching the sermon will be the Bishop of Beverley, the Right Reverend Glyn Webster.

"We are hoping for 600 choristers from across the whole region, including cathedral choirs from Wakefield, Sheffield and Bradford," says Andrew Robinson, the RSCM's Regional Music Adviser.

"This is a celebration of the role of music within worship and a rare chance to bring together choristers to celebrate our fine North of England heritage of church music, in the iconic space of Leeds Town Hall."

Singers, whether as part of a choir or individuals, need to book in advance to take part and music will be provided in a service book priced at £6. For more information go to www.rscm.com/riponandleeds or contact Andrew Robinson on arobinson@rscm.com.

News
Church of England appoints new Lead Safeguarding Bishop
Church of England appoints new Lead Safeguarding Bishop

The Bishop of Tewkesbury, Robert Springett, has been appointed as the Church of England’s new Lead Safeguarding Bishop.

Presbyterian Moderator steps down over 'serious and significant' safeguarding failings
Presbyterian Moderator steps down over 'serious and significant' safeguarding failings

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rev Trevor Gribben, has stepped down over alleged safeguarding failings that placed people "at risk".

Clergy in Ukraine work to heal psychological trauma of war
Clergy in Ukraine work to heal psychological trauma of war

Returning soldiers and families feel the strain of war, but clergy are not immune either, says a local bishop.

Church's mission unchanged, says bishop as Isle of Man moves to end voting rights
Church's mission unchanged, says bishop as Isle of Man moves to end voting rights

The Isle of Man has come a step closer to removing the voting rights of the local bishop after a vote on a constitutional bill in the Tynwald.