SEDBERGH SCHOOL CHORISTERS SING AT DURHAM CATHEDRAL

The Chapel Choir visited Durham Cathedral on Thursday, where they had the privilege of singing Evensong at one of the finest cathedrals in the world.

Built between 1093 and 1133, Durham Cathedral is well known not only for its Norman architecture, but for its very rich musical tradition: the Cathedral Choir sings eight services per week. As they were on holiday this week, we were granted permission to lead the worship at Evensong.

Under the leadership of our Head of Choral Music, Mr John Seymour, we sang Harwood’s Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, the Smith Preces and Responses.

The anthem was ‘Like as the hart’ by Herbert Howells. All of these pieces are all part of the choir’s standard repertoire, but one musical requirement that they are less familiar with is singing psalms.

This is a real challenge that requires intense concentration – matching the natural rhythms of the words to a harmonised melody – and one which the choir managed with tremendous poise and sensitivity.

It was very humbling to be part of this great cathedral’s worship, and particularly inspiring to share this with more than 200 members of the congregation, including tremendous support from families and friends.

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