350 CHORISTERS ARE 'FULLY ALIVE' AT THE DIOCESAN CHOIRS FESTIVAL 2010

A massed gathering of over 350 choristers from parish churches throughout the Salisbury diocese meet at Salisbury Cathedral on Sunday 13 June for an afternoon of choral singing under the inspired leadership of David Halls, the Cathedral’s Director of Music. The event culminates in a special Festival Service ‘Fully Alive’ at 6pm during which choristers from parish churches around the diocese will also receive Dean’s Award or Bishop’s Award medals gained during the past year.

David Halls, Director of Music at the Cathedral, explained: “We think it is really good to bring together as many choirs from around the diocese as possible to sing alongside our own cathedral choir. It is always a pleasure to welcome our fellow choristers and always exciting to hear the results of everyone’s work on the day. It is particularly satisfying for small choirs to be able to tackle much more demanding repertoire than usual in the company of many others and this year the Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group (SDCFG) commissioned the brilliant young composer of Mass in Blue, Will Todd, to write a setting of ‘Let the glory of God make me fully alive’.” This powerful text, by St Irenaeus, is taken from the diocesan ‘Fully Alive’ programme. The choirs will also perform music by Handel, Harris, Tallis and David Halls.

The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group (SDCFG) administers the Dean’s and Bishop’s Awards which recognise excellence and commitment in choristers throughout the diocese. The Awards will be given on the day by the Dean of Salisbury and the Bishop of Salisbury.

The Festival Choir is directed by David Halls, and the Festival Organist will be Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral. The event is hosted by the SDCFG, and all are welcome to the service at 6pm.

Two further Diocesan Choirs Festivals take place in 2010 around the diocese:
Wimborne Minster - Sunday 26 September at 6.00pm
St John’s, Devizes - Sunday 10 October at 6.00pm