Liverpool hosts Cathedral Choristers of Britain in June
Some 100 singers, including choristers from nearly 40 cathedrals and other choral foundations across Britain, will perform live at Liverpool Cathedral on 13 June. This is the second concert of its kind since The Cathedral Choristers of Britain was formed in 2016.
Choristers performing in the first concert were dubbed at the time as ‘the world’s first cathedral supergroup’. This performance brings together boy and girl choristers from cathedrals and other foundations ranging from the Isle of Man to Norwich, Bangor to Cambridge, and Edinburgh to Exeter. The group will rehearse for just a day before demonstrating the extraordinary professionalism and sheer ability that mark them out as some of the finest choristers in the country.
FCM’s Diamond Fund for Choristers
The concert will be mounted by Friends of Cathedral Music’s Diamond Fund for Choristers, in conjunction with Liverpool’s Anglican and Catholic cathedrals. It showcases Britain’s 1,000 year old choral tradition which is under pressure from rising costs. The Diamond Fund for Choristers, launched in 2016 at a concert at St Paul’s Cathedral featuring The Cathedral Choristers of Britain, raises funds to support choristers and cathedral music departments in need. Since its launch it has given £140,000 worth of grants to 24 choral foundations. These provide voice and instrument tuition, outreach and recruitment opportunities, and help for choristers whose families are least able to cope with the costs of their education.
John Rutter to speak
Dr John Rutter CBE, the acclaimed composer, will speak at the concert. HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, Royal Patron of the Diamond Fund for Choristers will also attend. Much loved favourites like Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Allegri’s Miserere, Howard Goodall’s Psalm 23 (The Vicar of Dibley theme tune) and Parry’s I Was Glad will be performed. Works by Fauré, Vaughan Williams, Tavener and The Beatles also feature, along with a new work by Richard Shephard specially commissioned for the concert. All proceeds will go to the Diamond Fund for Choristers.
Dr Rutter said: “I’m looking forward immensely to hearing the Cathedral Choristers of Britain again. Gifts of support from their well-wishers transform those children’s lives in a quite magical way by enabling them to become cathedral choristers. Their gift of singing repays us many times over by filling those cathedrals with the miracle of music. We must never let it fall silent.”
Tickets for the concert are on sale at Liverpool Cathedral’s shop and online at https://www.cathedralshop.com/collections/cathedral-events.
Did you know?
Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral is the largest in the UK and fifth largest in the world while its pipe organ is also the largest in the UK, with 10,268 pipes.