Page 41 - Church Music Quarterly September 2018

See The Network for RSCM events in the UK and Ireland or visit www.rscm.org.uk
NOTEBOOK
NEWS & EVENTS
A WORTHY CAUSE: CHOIRS
AGAINST CANCER
Choirs Against Cancer is a project for Christmas 2018 in which a brand-new Christmas carol is made available for free and without any limitations to choirs everywhere. These choirs can then use
their performances to support the work of Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2016 Choirs Against Cancer raised £17,000 for Macmillan, so please give whatever you can afford.
The carol is Gareth Treseder’s Le sommeil
de l’enfant Jésus or The sleep of the Infant Jesus.
It is available with all sorts of different voicings, including AATB, SATB and accompanied unison voices. You can download the carol
at his website: www.garethtreseder.com/ composer/choirsagainstcancer
Using this piece, you can raise funds in whatever way works best for you, whether it be a share of your ticket sales, a bucket collection, an informal whip-round among choir members or just an individual donation. Every penny will help the
work of Macmillan Cancer Support.
To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/choirsagainstcancer
Thank you for your support!
A PERFORMANCE FOR THE POPE
The choir of Hereford Cathedral (featuring many RSCM singers) made history in Rome on 29 June when they performed at a Papal Mass at the Feast of St Peter & St Paul.
Following the two-hour Mass, the choir, the Dean of Hereford Cathedral, the Very Revd Michael Tavinor and the Bishop of Hereford, the Right Revd Richard Frith had a private meeting with Pope Francis in the gardens of the Vatican.
Hereford Cathedral Choir are believed
to be the first Anglican cathedral choir to be invited by the Pope to perform at this service which celebrated the saints in front of a crowd said to be 125,000 in St Peter’s Square. In temperatures approaching 30 degrees, the choir – comprising 13 boy choristers and 13 adults – performed See Me Lord, written by Richard Lloyd, a former organist at Hereford Cathedral, and the William Byrd motet,
Pope Francis with the Hereford Cathedral Choir.
Cibavit eos. The mass was transmitted live on Vatican TV to a global audience of millions and, for much of the service, the choir sang alongside the Sistine Chapel Choir.
ARE PERCEPTIONS OF
CHRISTIANITY SHIFTING?
In a major new survey, Faitheism by Dr Krish Kandiah, over 4,000 people were asked about their feelings towards religion and only 10% of the public agreed with the statement that ‘religion is a negative influence on society’. In fact, 44% of people surveyed agreed that they have had a positive experience of Christians and Christianity and half of British adults disagree that Christians
are a negative force in society.
Some particularly interesting statistics were gathered from the 18–24-year-old generation, sometimes known as the ‘Post- Millennials’, and, according to some, the first genuinely post-Christian generation. Although they are the most likely to report that being an atheist or non-religious is ‘more normal’, they are also the most likely to agree that they have had a positive experience of Christians and Christianity – a higher proportion than any other age group. They are also the most likely to report that they go to church services (33%). Three in five British adults aged 18–24 (62%) also agree that they feel comfortable discussing their religious beliefs with people at work – again, a higher proportion than
any other age group. Gen Z, it would seem, is showing the greatest openness and positivity towards faith.
CLASSIFIED
ADS continued
Organist/choir accompanist.
St Helen’s, Wheathampstead. We are seeking to appoint an organist to play for services and accompany choir practice. We have a thriving and capable choir of adults and children led by our choir director (non-organist) and we sing a wide range of choral music. Willingness to direct the choir and rehearsals on occasion desirable but not essential. Services: Weekly Sunday Eucharist, Monthly Evensong plus special days and festivals. Choir Practice: Friday Evening. The 2 manual Hill, Norman & Beard organ has undergone a recent renovation. RSCM rates apply and an enhanced DBS check will be required. For further information please
contact Robert Milner, Director of Music: milnerrobert1@aol. com or 07905 314439. Rob Milner, 07540 847599
The Parish Church of St. Eustachius’, Tavistock, Devon. Director of Music/Organist required. Enthusiastic SATB adult robed choir of some 25 voices. Two Sunday services (one Sung Eucharist) plus Festivals, and occasional weekday
services. Weekly choir rehearsal. Remuneration £5500 per annum. Approximately 20 weddings and 40 funerals annually with additional payments. 1845 Walker 3 manual organ and Steinway piano. For information pack, please contact the
Parish Office, 01822 616673
or email: parishoffice@ tavychurch.eclipse.co.uk
38 girls/ladies blue choir robes. Excellent condition. Further information hjenkins@cathedral.org.uk
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Competent Singers & Organists Required – Poscimur – Small, Friendly, Robed, Adult, SATB Choir, RSCM affiliated – sings
in Cathedrals – UK Wide Membership ... Contact Catherine Thomas on 020 8857 9375; catherine. thomas@poscimur.co.uk; www.poscimur.co.uk
NOTEBOOK, NEWS & EVENTS / CLASSIFIED ADS 41
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