News
Congratulations Accord!
Accord, the acappella group of eight instrumentalists and singers, who entertained CSA so beautifully during the annual conference have been selected to perform at this summer’s Music for Youth festival in Birmingham. Four of the group were choristers at Wells Cathedral and two are currently in the National Youth Choir.
Hereford Mysteries Revealed
The mysteries of what lay beneath Hereford Cathedral Close are revealed in Death in the Close: A Medieval Mystery to be published on 20 May. Excavations revealed a possible Saxon Palace built near the cathedral between 850 and 950AD. After the cathedral was plundered and destroyed by fire in 1055, it was rebuilt and over … Continue reading →
Exeter Head moving to Purcell
Stephen Yeo headmaster of Exeter Cathedral School, will lead The Purcell School of Music from next January. CSA and Purcell are both part of the government Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) so we won’t be losing touch with him. Very many congratulations Stephen!
Choir School Heads in Wells
Wells Cathedral School was the perfect host for this year’s CSA annual conference. Choir school heads enjoyed a veritable ‘feast’ of music and stimulating sessions – a big thank you to Elizabeth Cairncross and her wonderful team. Speaking just before the General Election, CSA Chairman Tim Cannell expressed his concern that education has become a political football. CSA … Continue reading →
Be a Chorister!
Cathedrals need new recruits every year. These days most foundations hold regular events to explain what’s involved and to give children a taste of what it’s like to be a chorister. One such event is Manchester’s Be A Chorister For A Day later this month. For more information take a look at the BACFAD page.
Hereford’s Boy Bishop
Hereford is one of the few dioceses to continue the medieval practice of a Boy Bishop Ceremony – see CSA Singing Out 2015 Issue 19. The Boy Bishop is always an ex-chorister who has to give a sermon at his Installation. Read Harry Brookes-Owen Boy Bishop Sermon.
Westminster’s Fishy Tale
….. or how Westminster Abbey became a Royal Peculiar! Professor Robert Turner tells the story of The Abbey’s Fishy Tale. Robert was a chorister at Westminster Abbey and sang at HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s wedding in 1947. From 1966-2007 he was The Queen’s Remembrancer, an ancient judicial post started in 1154 … Continue reading →
Gargoyle Tribute to Former Head
Dr Richard Shephard was the model for a gargoyle on the East face of York Minster, overlooking the school he was headmaster of for 19 years. Richard, also a former CSA Chairman and Treasurer, has worked at the Minster for 30 years including the last 11 as Director of Development for the York Minster Fund and Chamberlain. He … Continue reading →
CSA News Spring 2015
CSA Singing Out 2015 Issue 19 is now available including chorister triumphs and Elizabeth Cairncross on Boarding with Love.
Songs of Praise Relaunch
The 51 year-old programme has been given a makeover. BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent, Caroline Wyatt, explains.