Celebration Day

Saturday 16 May 2009, Salisbury Cathedral

Leading figures in the world of church music were in Salisbury on 16th May for the presentation of awards by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) during its Celebration Day service at the Cathedral.  These included Pam Rhodes and Dr Noël Tredinnick, who are both well known from BBC Television’s Songs of Praise, and composers Malcolm Archer and Professor Philip Wilby.

Also receiving diplomas were five students who have completed the RSCM’s Sacred Music Studies course.  A choir of about 200 singers from RSCM-affiliated choirs in the region joined the Salisbury Cathedral Choirs for the annual Celebration Day service, under the direction of David Ogden. 

In his address, Director of the RSCM, Mr Lindsay Gray, thanked the award winners for their contributions to church music locally, nationally and internationally.  He also talked of plans for the RSCM to involve more young people in music in worship: “Bringing young people into church is of course essential if there is going to be a church in the future – and what a great way to involve young people, through musical contribution and participation.”

 

Those who received honorary awards and Sacred Music Studies diplomas are pictured with Mark Williams, Lindsay Gray, and the Bishop of Salisbury

Photos © Adrian Harris