Southwark has launched a Diocesan Music Outreach project. In June, Director of Music Ian Keatley and sub-organist Simon Hogan welcomed over 200 schoolchildren to the Cathedral’s first ever Organ Extravaganza. The children were treated to a medley of their favourite tunes and learned more about the Cathedral’s Grand Lewis Organ. There was much fun and singing for everyone, and the event will provide a basis for future engagement between the cathedral’s music department and education in the Diocese.
The project has included other events, such as the ecumenical evensong on 5th May at which the choir of St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral was invited to sing with the Southwark choir. The Dean of St George’s, Father Michael Branch, was installed as Honorary Ecumenical Canon by the Bishop of Southwark.
On 16th June a Festival evensong was held at which parish church choirs from the Diocese were invited to sing evensong with the Cathedral Great Choir (boys and girls). With singers outnumbering the congregation, seating arrangements were reversed, with the choirs in the Nave and attendees and supporters in the Choir. Ian Keatley conducted the service, led by Canon Kathryn Fleming, which included well known and much-loved works by Stanford – his Mag & Nunc in B flat and Psalm 150 – and Parry’s I was glad alongside Moore’s Preces and Responses. Simon Hogan also played organ music by Parry in addition to Jackson.
Parishes from across the Diocese included Croydon Minster, and churches in Battersea, Barnes, Blackheath, Croydon, Greenwich, Oxted, Redhill, Richmond, Streatham and Wimbledon.
by Richard and Sarah Malins, Local Ambassadors for Southwark
