Former Director of the St Cecilia Singers and current Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral, Ashley Grote, arranged the Robert Prizeman song 'Sing Forever' for this extraordinary project to raise money for the Cathedral Choirs' Emergency Fund.

Of all the online singing projects that we have seen throughout the lockdown period, it would be hard to find one more poignant or beautifully executed than this one. Over 260 choristers across the country were involved including our own Gloucester Cathedral boys and girls.

29th November. The choir was superbly supported by a professional orchestra, which also included College's most advanced instrumentalists. The programme note described the concert as 'a true team effort, and involves performers in both the choir and orchestra from all areas of College over a wide age range.' It was indeed impressive to see such talent on display from both singers and orchestra, including Gloucestershire's current Young Musician of the Year in the viola section.
David McKee, Director of Music at Cheltenham College, said "It was wonderful to have members of the St Cecilia Singers joining us for this occasion. As a student I learned so much from performing next to singers and players of a professional standard and it's my privilege to offer this opportunity to the students at College. Thank you to the St Cecilia singers for their support."

Bairbre Lloyd talks about that perfect performance moment and why we keep singing.

I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I’ve experienced it, but deep down, it’s probably the ultimate reason I keep singing in dozens of concerts and turning up for hundreds of choir rehearsals.
Singing in a choir is fun. An hour or two’s workout of the lungs and vocal chords gets the endorphins buzzing round your system. It’s good to spend time with a group of friends all engaged in a common purpose. And it’s emotionally satisfying, if you love the music you are singing. Even better is performing in front of an appreciative audience, who are letting you know how much they’ve enjoyed it.
But very occasionally something happens in performance which is unforgettable. Like a divining rod or a radio signal, the conductor tunes into something magical which captures the soul of each and every performer. As the atmosphere shifts, each person’s thoughts and ideas take a back seat and they become solely a channel of the conductor’s will. The choir locks on to every gesture, every facial expression, as if each individual singer has been melded into one giant instrument.
To be part of that sublimation, to let go, be completely in the moment and at one with your fellow musicians is an incredible experience. And when the audience gets caught up in the music, the whole room seems to vibrate with an energy unlike anything else.
So while every concert is a special experience, always involving anticipation and maybe even nerves – there is always the possibility of a transcendent experience...

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Act of Remembrance. Every year the nation unites to make sure that no-one is forgotten and to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom. Remembrance honours those who serve to defend our freedoms and way of life.
Thousands of people will be taking part in services and acts of remembrance across Gloucestershire. You can find the one closest to you by clicking on this link.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From 'For the Fallen' - Laurence Binyon

Sarah McKee describes her experience of Gloucester Cathedral's latest installation.

I have been talking in superlatives since visiting the incredible ‘Museum of the Moon’ in Gloucester cathedral.
This fabulous touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram has used detailed imagery from NASA of the lunar surface to create a perfect replica of the moon, lit from within and suspended from the ceiling. He describes the installation as “a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition”.
The stunning, seven-metre sphere takes your breath away as it hovers theatrically in the nave of our beautiful cathedral. Artistically lit, the whole effect is highly atmospheric. Visitors create their own silhouettes against the light of the moon or create pictures where they appear to be holding it in their hands. Or simply walk around and underneath, bathing in moonlight and music.
The extraordinary installation itself is only part of the picture though. The placement of this impressive replica in the magnificent context of the cathedral makes the experience truly inspiring. The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester said “One of our hopes is that the Moon installation should help people think for a moment, to reflect on what it means to place a scale Moon, inside a cathedral. What does it mean to them?”
A friend of mine, made another observation: “I love how the children come in to see the moon, but just stop and stare when they see the beauty of the cathedral!”
There is no doubt that combining the grandeur and beauty of the cathedral with the ethereal moon installation provides a peaceful, spiritual and entirely unique experience.

My date for the evening was my 10 year old godson, Charlie, and we both loved this varied, confident and intimate concert. 

At the start of this season we welcomed Hayley (soprano) and Tom (counter tenor) as they joined the St Cecilia Singers. Here they tell us a little about their experience of joining the choir.

So this is a concert of the choir’s favourite pieces. How did that work?
I asked the singers to nominate the ‘desert island’ pieces that they would like to sing. With such a clued up choir, I guess I should have anticipated that it would be a long list – there were over 100 pieces! The choir chose some absolutely wonderful music, my job was to curate that into a programme that both singers and audience would enjoy.
Some of their choices were conventional. Some were… the opposite! They ranged from tiny, perfect pieces like If ye love me to a SATB arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody…
Curating these pieces sounds like a difficult job. How did you whittle them down?
It was difficult in some ways, but absolutely joyous in others. It was quite liberating knowing that whatever I chose, there would be someone in the choir who really wanted to sing it. It was also really affirming to see so many pieces that we had performed recently – it showed that the choir was enjoying the repertoire I’d chosen before, even though I really challenge them sometimes! We want to keep moving forward though, so I decided not to choose any music that we have done before as a choir.
It was challenging to make a coherent programme out of such a wide range of music, so I looked for patterns or pieces that went together, while having some contrast and diversity of style.
What’s the highlight piece for you?
It's very difficult to choose. Obviously, Tippett is always fantastic to perform. He was a 20th century, enlightened, radical, forward-thinking pacifist who was always challenging the status quo. That’s the sort of stuff the St Cecilia Singers really enjoy getting their teeth into, and our audiences want to hear.
The Mendelssohn was also a clear choice for me because of his connection with Queen Victoria who was born 200 years ago this year.
I think if I’m honest though, my favourite piece in the programme is Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens. It’s a real cathedral classic and I love the through composition. It's a triumphant amalgamation of fantastic words and music. There's also a personal meaning for me, as it was one of the first pieces I played on a commercial recording, so it’s a bit of a landmark. That’s what I love most about this concert – for every piece we’re singing, there’s someone in the choir for whom it has special meaning.
What are your ambitions for future concerts?
Well the rest of the season is looking pretty exciting. Our Christmas concert is always a highlight – not just for the choir but for the cathedral community and our loyal audiences. I’m told that our annual concert marks the start of Christmas for many in Gloucester and that makes me very proud.
It would be impossible not to get excited about our March world premiere of Neil Cox’s Requiem Canticles which was commissioned for our 70th Anniversary.
Looking further ahead though, I’d like to do more orchestral concerts and we have some potential cathedral visits in mind.
Now here’s the question we’ve all been dying to ask… When are you going to do some more arrangements for the choir?
When the occasion arises! I love lighthearted music at a summer soiree, so maybe next season. Perhaps that could be the next challenge I put to the choir...?
 
Come to the choir’s concert at Toddington on 19th October and hear Jonathan’s curated progamme of the St Cecilia Singers’ favourite pieces. Tickets are free with a retiring collection.
​