Andy Munns
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.
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.”
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.
