Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

From the Church of Ireland Press Office

A special service of Thanksgiving and Dedication will be held in St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry on Sunday 11 September at 7.30 pm. Following on from the major celebrations on June 9 to mark the complete restoration of the historic building, the service on Sunday evening will focus on the life of the Cathedral in terms of its music and choral tradition.

In the course of the liturgy the Dean of Derry, Dr William Morton, will dedicate a new CD of the hymns of Cecil Frances Alexander, which has been recorded by the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Chamber Choir. All Things Bright And Beautiful is the title of this latest contribution from the Cathedral Choir in addition to their singing of the weekly services of Choral Matins, Choral Eucharist and Choral Evensong together with their busy schedule of concerts, tours and television and radio broadcasts. The musical consultant/editor of the CD is Dr Martin Neary, former Organist and Master of the Choristers in Westminster Abbey, who hopes to be present on Sunday evening and who will conduct, for the benefit of the congregation, beginning at 6.45 pm, a rehearsal of the hymns featured in the service.

The Dean will also dedicate two new sets of robes for the Cathedral Choir in the course of the service - in Derry crimson and in violet - as well as awarding the Philip Mehaffey Memorial Organ Scholarships which will be presented by the former Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey and his wife, Thelma, in memory of their son.

Dr Morton will also launch The Cecil Frances Alexander Music Trust with Dr Neary as its Patron. This, together with all the other components in the service, coincides with the centenary of the death of Bishop William Alexander, husband of the hymn writer, on Monday 12 September.

The Choir of Saint Columb’s Cathedral has been at the heart of the worshipping life of Londonderry’s most historic building since the early nineteenth century. In recent years, the city has emerged from the violence and unrest of the past towards a more positive and prosperous future. Economic regeneration has transformed the city into a major tourist destination. Londonderry is also increasingly recognised as a major centre for the arts; in 2013, Derry will become the first UK City of Culture.

The cathedral is at the very centre of the city’s artistic and spiritual life. During the past decade, the Dean and Chapter have rebuilt the cathedral’s Wells-Kennedy organ at a cost of over £500,000 and overseen a major restoration of the entire building, costing almost £4m. Internationally recognised musicians have taken part in the cathedral’s renowned Recital Series, including David Briggs and Naji Hakim. Artists in Residence have included some of church music’s most acclaimed choral directors, including Dr Barry Rose and Dr Martin Neary.

Like many of the UK’s ancient cathedrals, St Columb’s has no endowment to support its music; the cost of running the choir has to be found from income. Furthermore, restoration of the cathedral organ was completed, apart from a few substantial donations from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dubliin, The Honourable The Irish Society and Derry City Council, largely by money which was raised over a period of 12 years through generous donations by members of the Cathedral community, supported by the vision of the Dean and Chapter, and the Select Vestry. The cathedral continues to invest heavily in its music. Most recently, money has been raised to purchase a new Yamaha Grand Piano for the Alexander Music Room, and the two new sets of robes.

The Cecil Frances Alexander Music Trust carries a single, important aim: to maintain and develop the flourishing musical traditions by supporting the boys and men of the cathedral choir through scholarships and other financial initiatives.

A special exhibition on the lives and works of Archbishop William and Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander will be held in The Chapter House of St Columb’s Cathedral from Wednesday 7 September 9.30-4.30, Monday-Saturday.

Dean Morton extends a warm invitation to all who would like to come along to the service. Everyone most welcome.

Parish Reader commissioned in St Columb's Cathedral

During the service of Choral Matins on Sunday at 11.00 am in St Columb's Cathedral, Mr David Bell will be commissioned as a Parish Reader by the Dean of Derry, Dr Morton, to serve in the Cathedral. The preacher will be the Reverend Canon John Merrick. There will also be an Act of Remembrance in the service to mark the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Dean Morton on 07808092450.