SALISBURY CATHEDRAL JUNIOR CHOIR SING 'THE BEST OF BRITISH'!

Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir join the St John Singers at 7.30pm on Saturday 3 July in St Martin’s Church, Salisbury, performing a dynamic programme of music by three of the finest choral composers at work in England today – Andrew Carter, Bob Chilcott and Howard Goodall.

The evening begins with excerpts from Bob Chilcott’s specially commissioned Salisbury Vespers, premiered in a magical evening in Salisbury Cathedral as the opening concert of Salisbury International Arts Festival 2009 in which both SCJC and St John Singers sang. Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light (A Requiem) is one of his latest compositions. Written for concert rather than liturgical performance, Goodall himself says “My music is written to provide solace to the grieving, reflecting on the words of the Latin mass by juxtaposing them with poems in English. Just like Brahms, this is a Requiem for the living…” The choirs are joined by three popular local soloists: ex-cathedral chorister Charlotte Ashley (soprano), Ian Wicks(tenor), who also directs Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir, and Robert Blakey (bass).

Andrew Carter’s Benedicite is the third major piece of the evening. This setting of the canticle in praise of all creation is great fun for audience and choir alike. Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir particularly enjoy singing about ‘Badgers and Hedgehogs’ and, the favourite of all, ‘Grannies and Grandads’.

Ian Wicks said “It’s great for the choir to have another collaboration with an adult Salisbury choir. This is a really good programme which we are all enjoying learning. The children loved taking part in the Chilcott Vespers last year and are looking forward with great enthusiasm to sing their part of it again. They will also be performing Goodall’s lovely setting of Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, known to everyone as the theme music to ‘The Vicar of Dibley’.

David Halls, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral, said “We are very grateful to the St John Singers for supporting Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir, both for providing this wonderful performance opportunity and for a generous financial contribution to their choir funds.”

John Powell conducts the St John Singers and the accompanist for the evening is David Coram.

Tickets, £10.00, from Music Room, 5 Catherine Street, telephone 01722 328181 and at the door.

Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir is directed by Ian Wicks who is fully supported by the cathedral’s musicians. It is open to any boys and girls in school years 4-8 and there are no auditions and no charge. It rehearses each Saturday from 11am – 12 noon during term time. For further information please email: s.flanaghan@salcath.co.uk or telephone 01722 555148.