Blackburn Gathering

This day long gathering beings with registration at 10am before Eucharist at 10.30am which includes a setting by Langlais, his Messe Solonnelle. This is an epic work that shows off the world-class Blackburn organ, and the versatile main choir.

After every morning service tea and coffee are served which will allow members attending to meet with and speak to members of the choir, clergy and congregation before lunch in the Temple Gallery at 12.30pm. This will be secluded and an area just for members taking lunch which will be a two course event with a choice of two options for each course. Doors from the Gallery lead into the Cloister and the Garth, for a stroll after lunch.

At 2pm we will move back into the body of the Cathedral for a discussion, by way of an interview between John Robinson, the Director of Music, and John Hosking, the Organist in Residence about the art of improvisation.

The day of the gathering falls on the Third Sunday of Lent at which will be performed, as premieres, the winning pieces from the latest Blackburn Cathedral composition competition, so at about 3pm there will be a composition workshop leading up to Choral Evensong at 4pm.

The service will last until 4.45pm when Tom Bell, a concert organist and the Regional Director of Royal College of Organists will give a recital followed by informal discussion, and lastly tea and cake.