On Thursday June 22, 2023 Sheila and I attended the Durham Cathedral Music Outreach Concert on behalf of Cathedral Music Trust. CMT has been generous supporters of music and children at the Cathedral for many years. For Sheila and I this was all new, so we did a little research beforehand. We got in touch with Jasmine Oakes, the Music Administrator at Durham Cathedral. She is one of those ‘unsung heroes’ that makes everything work! This is what we learned. There are three programmes each year, mirroring the three school terms; Autumn, Spring and Summer. Each programme covers a different area of the Durham Diocese. The concert we attended was the Summer programme aimed at the primary schools in North Durham. Letters had been sent out to 200 schools, and nine had responded (there is a cost involved) with about 20 to 25 students per school. The Cathedral then arranges a team of four to attend and direct three to four sessions with the children to prepare them for the concert.
This Outreach programme started about 20 years ago, promoted by the Government throughout the UK. At Durham Cathedral it was started during James Lancelot's tenure – a Trustee of Cathedral Music Trust – in January 2009. He remembers that it was only boys to begin with, but girl choristers were introduced in November 2009. His method was ‘to visit two schools each term, each would bring a class of their own pupils into the school hall, to be joined by a similar number from three other schools. In this way eight schools were involved each term.’ Also included was a group of Cathedral choristers. As James recalls ‘these sessions were thoroughly enjoyable and the Cathedral concerts were great occasions with singing from combined sources, as well as some from the Cathedral Choristers … all this to a capacity audience.’
So, off we went to the Concert on June 22nd. We arrived one half hour early to make sure we got a good seat, only to find the Cathedral was packed!! However, we identified ourselves as being from Cathedral Music Trust and we were promptly ushered right to the front row! In front of us, filling the crossing at the front of the Nave was a sea of school children getting settled for the Concert. It was estimated at 250 children. At the appointed time, the Acting Dean and MC for the concert, Michael Hampel, welcomed everyone and the concert began.
Most of the conducting was handled by Simon Lee from the Consort Singers and Louise Reid from the Chorister School. Daniel Cook, Choirmaster and Joseph Beech handled the piano and organ. Daniel Cook gave a short speech at the end to thank everyone. The Music and singing was fantastic. There were no music sheets allowed … all the verse had to be memorized and there was a lot to remember! The children were absolutely excellent and their parents, families and friends responded accordingly. What a great afternoon for everyone. Afterwards there was a short reception in the Solarium for the VIP guests. Sitting in the front row at the concert representing CMT, Sheila and I were engulfed with a surge of emotion from the proud parents behind us and the happiness of the children in front of us having just experienced their great job done! It was a moment to remember for Sheila and I!
Other reactions were universally positive. Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral and Director of the Outreach Programme is quoted on the Cathedral website; ‘We are delighted that the Music Outreach Programme is back after the pandemic. It has been wonderful to see the musical development of the children we’ve been working with during these jubilant music outreach celebrations. It was clear the children had worked incredibly hard over the school term to deliver such a rousing performance, providing their family and friends lasting memories to treasure.’ Year One teacher and Music Leader, Laura O’Dowd from Esh Winning Primary School said; ‘This is the first year … we have been involved in the Music Outreach Programme. It has been a wonderful experience, although initially some of the songs had been a little tricky for the children to learn, they have felt supported because of the partnership and all the children have worked really hard.’ Laura continued; ‘I’m very proud of all the singers, it’s a lovely showcase to have parents, carers and friends able to watch.’
The children had been rehearsing for two months, which involved songs from biblical tale, Jonah and the Whale, well known North Eastern songs, and a demonstration of the Cathedral Organ. Matthew Mills, Head of Development at Durham Cathedral added; ‘Music Outreach celebrates the musical talents of young people’ and ‘by inviting them to join the Cathedral’s choristers for a day, we are hoping to ignite and nurture lifelong enthusiasm. We are passionate about sharing music. We think that Cathedral music is especially important, as a spiritual and cultural treasure of human creativity.’ As you can see from the reactions, everyone loved the results of young people connecting to Cathedral music. And the Cathedral does this three times each year!! So a big congratulations to all the hard work and organizing by a lot of people that each Concert takes. This is the quintessential effort that Cathedral Music Trust is happy to, and noted for, supporting.
Photo © Lee Dobson/Durham Cathedral