Sing Up and Chorister Outreach

This academic year the singing club has been having lots of fun learning some new and more challenging songs as many of our singers have been members for over a year, and some for nearly three years. We have learned to sing rounds with ostinato parts, involving at least five singing parts going on at once, as well as some of the older ones beginning to learn alto harmonies to our favourite songs. Our theory work has advanced to include dotted rhythm work and reading the bass clef and the singers have been learning about rhythm using a set of percussion instruments as well. The singers really enjoyed taking part in the harvest festival service this year for the first time.

For the crib service this year the singers have learned ‘Child in the Manger’ in Gaelic, the plainsong version of ‘Creator of the Stars of Night’ and a fun, catchy song called ‘Hush there’s a baby’ and we are really looking forward to the service. One of the biggest things we have been able to work on with the singers this year is what the cathedral building is, what it is used for, and how and why to respect other people using the building. These values are so important to the children this young (our youngest member is only 4) and we always appreciate how well behaved the singers are when using the main building.

As for the rest of the year, we are really excited to be involved in a number of other children’s services, through our new connection with the education department. We hope to hold a proper concert, where we can invite other members of the cathedral community to attend and we can showcase all of our material. We have also been asked to take part in the summer pageant, so the next two terms look fully booked.

Some of our members are now approaching leaving age, as there are several who are getting on for 11 years old, so we are hoping to do more work on recruitment ready for next year so that the singing club can continue. I am also hoping that over the next few months the oldest members can try out for the Cathedral Choir. 
 
Wendy Silvester (Saturday Singing Club Director)