Wonderful to host the RSCM Choral Festival !!!

6th August, 2021

The RSCM Choral Festival 2021 was held here at the Cathedral on Sunday 1^st August.

Close to 30 choristers from RSCM member churches (including some of our own Cathedral choristers – the Cathedral is also a member church of the RSCM) took part and sang for rehearsals through the afternoon and then sang for the 5pm Mass. Having had to cancel their annual Choir Camp due to the recent lockdown, it was extra special to be able to come together and sing.

They and the congregation were able to take part in some robust hymn singing (Thaxted is SUCH a great tune !!). But perhaps the highlight was the composition ‘I believe’ composed by Mark Miller – this contemplative piece carries the text of an anonymous author hiding in a basement in Cologne during World War II (it was scrawled on the wall) – this moving text instils such a sense of hope – Miller, himself, said of this composition: ‘My hope is for this sacred gift of lyrics and song to be ‘medicine for the soul’ for all who hear it.’

Great to host the RSCM Choral Festival – do come back to St Mary’s again soon !!!

Jacinta (and our participant treble choristers pictured on the left)