Salisbury Cathedral Choir sets sail for Channel Islands

Thursday, 23 March 2023 00:00

On Monday, 27th March, Salisbury Cathedral’s renowned Choir will be setting sail for the Channel Islands on a historic week-long tour that marks the attachment of the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey to the Diocese of Salisbury.

The tour involves 40 singers - 28 choristers aged 8-13 and 12 adult singers - led by David Halls, Salisbury Cathedral’s Director of Music.

Accompanying the Choir is the job of Assistant Director of Music John Challenger, who will also be heading off shortly after easter to perform in Bergamo, Italy, and Christopher Too, Salisbury Cathedral’s organ scholar.

Christopher was recently appointed Organ Scholar of Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral and took up this prestigious new role in September.

The programme for the week includes Allegri’s Misere Mei, Deus with its soaring top ‘C’s, God so Loved the World by John Stainer, Parry’s Lord Let me Know Mine End and the Latin Magnificat Op 164 by Stanford.

Salisbury Cathedral. Girl Choristers. Photo by Finnbarr Webster

This will be the choir’s first tour since the pandemic and as well as performing for concerts and worship, the choristers will be taking part in a special workshop with the Jersey Youth Choir.

There’s also time built into the schedule for Choir members to explore the islands and get to know our new Diocesan partners.

David Halls, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral, said: “We are looking forward to the Channel Islands tour because it offers an opportunity to share our music with others, but also because it it a wonderful cultural opportunity for the young choristers.

"The Channel Islands have a very rich and compelling history that is both part of our story and unique. It may also be that we discover some young singers who would love to be part of our team. That would be exciting.”

Salisbury Cathedral. Girl Choristers. Photo by Finnbarr Webster

The tour forms part of a busy spring Choir schedule that includes a performance of The Crufixion by Stainer in the Cathedral at 19.30 on Wednesday, 5 April, part of the series of services and music for Holy Week. The details are on the Cathedral website.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.