Author: Lauren Harte

This morning (Sunday, January 21st) was the last service for Stephen, who moves to the back row from next week to join the ranks of the men. It was also the first time solos for William and Ben, great work from the eight year olds! Congratulations also to Jamie, Dan and Ross on their dark blue medal awards.
Evensong this afternoon will be sung by the Choral Scholars.

Congratulations to new Decani Head chorister Nicholas Falconer, who not only took on the role today but also just achieved a distinction of 138 in his grade 5 singing exam. We say farewell to Patrick Humphreys who sang his last service as a chorister on Christmas morning. Patrick now joins the Decani tenors, and we look forward to hearing his voice developing.

Members of Capella sang the Irish language Carol Service at St George’s Church, Belfast last Sunday afternoon. They sang a work in English by Scottish composer, James MacMillan and in Irish by McGlynn. The carols were sung through Irish and the readings and prayers equally so. The congregation, many of whom had travelled a great distance, were charmed by the manner in which the choir sang and the etiquette with which they composed themselves.

‘A cathedral choir in all but name’ is how Mr Edward Bevin of Friends of Cathedral Music described our choir. A true compliment and well deserved given the hard work and commitment put in weekly by the choristers, musical directors, organists, music committee, administrators and congregation. It is a true privilege to be a continuing part of the heritage and legacy of centuries of sacred music. This year, the choir will sing ‘Quatre motets’ by Duruflé, ‘Blessed city’ by Bairstow and Finzi’s ‘Lo the full final sacrifice’.

Thanks to Ben Lowry, News Letter Deputy Editor for his coverage

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/ben-lowry-a-grant-for-one-of-belfast-s-finest-church-choirs-which-steers-clear-of-happy-clappy-1-8186449

Thank you to the huge congregation at Evensong on Sunday afternoon, October 1st. The Festival Choral Evensong saw the Choir presented with a significant grant from the Friends of Cathedral Music to help develop musical tuition and training within the Church. The support for St George’s Parish Choir was fabulous.

Thank you especially to Mr and Mrs Bevin from St Alban’s who travelled from England to represent the Friends of Cathedral Music. Local representative and assistant treasurer Mr Donald Kerr presented the cheque for £20,000.

Mr Bevin, was delighted with the choir and will report back favourably to his colleagues in England. The award is the highest ever made to such a choir in all of Ireland.
We also welcomed seven new choristers at the service: Henry Greenlees, Connor Houston, David Johnston, William Magee, Eoghan McEnerney, Jake Rosetto and Billy Whitten.

On Wednesday evening, September 27th Bishop Alan Abernethy commissioned our Rector’s Churchwarden Mark Wardil as a Lay Reader. Rev. Kevin Graham, Warden of Readers, presented Mark alongside Andrew McFaul from Muckamore Parish.