Music

Music plays a very significant part of Christian worship. It helps us to bring words alive and make them memorable, and it adds beauty to the liturgy and lifts the hearts of those sing and those who listen.

Much of our well known church music over the centuries was composed to be performed in large churches and cathedrals. In this country, we still have a vibrant choral tradition and it is in cathedrals that you will most often hear this music. We have a very special responsibility as stewards of this precious musical heritage.

The Cathedral choirs exist to support the worship of the Cathedral, and as such have various duties. They lead choral worship at the Eucharist on Sundays, at Choral Evensong and also at the great Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas accompanied by our magnificent Harrison and Harrison organ. The repertoire the choirs sing is exceptionally varied and encompasses over a thousand years worth of music. The choirs perform music in up to fifteen languages and from time to time they will perform on Radio and TV, as well as lead services and give concerts both at home and abroad. At our more informal Cathedral Praise service on Sundays we enjoy contemporary worship songs accompanied by a band.

The Canon Precentor, Dr David Stone, is responsible for Cathedral worship and music. His Latin title translates into 'first singer'. Kerry Beaumont (Director of Music) is responsible for directing and training the choirs as well as playing the organ. Kerry has his own website which you can visit by clicking here. Our Assistant Director of Music is Laurence Lyndon-Jones.

Lunchtime Organ Music series

Enjoy a wonderful variety of music and musicians, from young award-winning organists to renowned concert artists. With our fabulous organ's vast range of sounds and a wider musical repertoire than ever there is truly something for everybody. Concerts take place at Monday lunchtimes during summer months. They last just over half an hour and admission is usually free. Plans are well in hand for the 2012 series, which will begin with a concert at 12.30 pm on Monday May 7th as part of the Cathedral's Golden Jubilee Flower Festival (for which an entrance ticket needs to be purchased - see here for details). The series reverts to its usual format - starting at 1.00 pm and with free admission - from Monday May 14th. As further information becomes available it will be updated in the monthly diary so that you can see what is planned.