A Journey Around the World in Music and Readings

Published on isbi School News dated Sunday 24th of February 2013

On Friday 22nd February, the Abbey Gate College Chapel Choir presented 'A Journey around the World in Music and Readings' at Chester Cathedral; the evening was in aid of the Chester Cathedral Education Department and the work of the Cathedral's link parish in Kondopoga, North Russia. The parish is very involved in community work and in remote areas like Kondopoga, social services are relying on the newly emerging churches to help. The Education Department has raised over £22000 in the last 4 years and all money raised from this event will add to this total.
The Chapel Choir, which comprises nearly 80 members, sang musical pieces from countries across the globe that included traditional music such as 'The Lord is My Shepherd' and 'Bogorodytse Dyevo' by Rachmaninoff, whilst the College string ensemble played Canon by Johann Pachelbel and the Saightonians Barber shop singers performed Mr Sandman. Former Abbey Gate College pupil, music scholar and Cathedral Organist Philip Rushworth accompanied the choir on the organ and pupils from across the College performed a variety of comical and more series readings.
The next few engagements for the Choir will see them performing Eucharist at St Oswald's, Malpas and St Paul's Cathedral, London before they are at the Cathedral again in April performing a service of Thanksgiving. The choir follow this with their annual tour, which this summer takes them to Poland.