When he raised his baton to begin the première performance of his “War Requiem” in Coventry Cathedral, little could Benjamin Britten have known that, on that very spot on 12th May 2026, a performance of similarly huge proportions would take place. On this occasion, the war poetry of Wilfred Owen was replaced by the immortal couplets of Tim Rice, set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber in “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, all sung with great gusto by over 600 Coventry schoolchildren (some enthusiastic Lay Clerks and Cathedral Music Trust Volunteer and Events Coordinator Hannah also participated). An appreciative audience (including both Bishop Sophie and Acting Dean Kate, who couldn’t help but sing along) seemed to thoroughly enjoy the performance.
The Coventry Cathedral Big Sing was led with his customary vigour by Acting Director of Music Joe Watson, who has proved himself to be an energetic and inspiring children’s music leader, and held the attention of his young charges masterfully. The quality of their singing was testament to the hard work and shoe-leather expended by the Music Department over the preceding weeks in touring the schools of Coventry to prepare the children for this experience. Speaking as a Lay Clerk, an equally important and heartening outcome of the event was the glut of new potential Cathedral Choir trebles who attended our Chorister Open Evening a few days later, having been inspired by the experience.
This was a fine example of how excellent outreach work, meticulous planning and a sense of fun can give young people a music experience that really inspires them. At a time when many places are finding Chorister recruitment tough, especially those places like Coventry without the benefit of a Choir School, this event reassured me that there are still enthusiastic and creative people who are prepared to put in the hard yards to buck this trend.
Nick Drew, Local Ambassador Coventry
