Celebration Day 2008

Choirstalls to overflow in culture capital’s Anglican Cathedral

Hundreds of singers from church choirs in the North West and north Wales are expected to head for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral this Spring to sing in a large-scale celebration of church music and musicians. The annual Celebration Day service, which coincides with Liverpool’s status as 2008 European Capital of Culture, will take place on May 17th. It will include the presentation of honorary awards from the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), to a number of musicians from both cathedrals and small churches*.

“Every year these Celebration Days take place in a different part of the country, and are always very happy and inspiring events not just for the many singers who take part, but for those who come as members of the congregation,” said the RSCM’s Gordon Appleton, who is organising the service. “There is a feast of music here for all tastes, much of it written in the eighty years since the RSCM came into being,” he said.

Music for the service includes a specially commissioned Jubilate by Noel Rawsthorne, a former Organist at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral; a new tune to the hymn Tell out my soul by John Harper, a former Director of the RSCM; a choir arrangement of Beauty for brokenness, a worship song by the well-known singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick, who is one of several leading church musicians to be honoured during the service. The service includes a special arrangement of the hymn Lift high the cross, written by eminent choral conductor Sir David Willcocks especially for the 80th anniversary of the RSCM.

The massed choir of hundreds of voices will be directed by Brian Kay the choral conductor and former King’s Singer, and Vice President of the Royal School of Church Music.  “In Liverpool's big year as European City of Culture, it will be a special thrill to make music in the glorious surroundings of the city's Anglican Cathedral, with a wide variety of wonderfully singable music. I am looking forward to it enormously,” said Brian Kay.

The singers for the service are drawn from the choirs of Liverpool’s two cathedrals and RSCM affiliated churches, as well as individual members of the RSCM. There is no charge to take part, though singers do have to register by 1st April, and buy the service book which includes all music, some of which has been specially written or arranged for the day. Further information about arrangements, registration, and online purchase of music can be found here.

The service booklet (price £5.00, or £3.75 for RSCM affiliates) can be purchased online at www.rscm.com/shop

Ends
10 March 2008

Notes for Editors

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an educational charity and promotes the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. The RSCM also publishes music and training resources, and organises courses, short workshops and activities. With over 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, supported by over 750 volunteers and a small team of staff based throughout the UK.

* Names of the recipients of the honorary awards have already been announced, and can be found on the RSCM website here.

PDFs of RSCM news releases are generally available here (go to "News Releases").

Photographs for media use are available from the Media & Picture Gallery (go to "RSCM picture gallery").

For further enquiries contact:
Stuart Robinson:
RSCM Media Relations Organiser
srobinson@rscm.com
T: 01492 556378 / 07831 827701

or

Heather Bamber
RSCM Marketing & Communications Administrator
E: hbamber@rscm.com
T: 01722 424847 or 07786 331364