10 Downing Street Reception
In April, our Chair of Trustees, Jonathan Macdonald, was honoured to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street alongside a range of community-based trusts and charitable foundations. The event brought together organisations working across culture, heritage, and the voluntary sector, recognising their contribution to public life.
The invitation recognised the work of Cathedral Music Trust and its ongoing advocacy for the value and future of cathedral music, particularly our campaign for UNESCO recognition of English sacred choral music as part of the UK’s shared cultural living heritage.
On attending the event Jonathan commented:
“I had the opportunity to speak directly to Sir Keir Starmer and thanked him for his ongoing advocacy of music education. In return, he reiterated how lucky and inspired he had been to receive a comprehensive music education and encouraged the Trust to keep up its good work.”
While no formal policy discussions took place, moments such as this are important in helping to raise the profile of cathedral music at a national level. Being present in high-profile settings ensures that the work of the sector is visible and recognised alongside other areas of cultural and charitable life. This visibility in turn strengthens the Trust’s advocacy. It helps ensure that cathedral music is part of the wider narrative around the value of the arts, education, and heritage in society, and supports our ongoing work to highlight the challenges facing the sector, from nurturing future generations of singers and musicians, to ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
As we await the outcome of the UNESCO application, we are very grateful to be included, seen as part of these wider conversations around cultural heritage and will continue to champion the power and importance of cathedral music for the future.
To find out more about the UNESCO campaign see our dedicated web pages, including our Open Letter here: UNESCO
