This month’s music list

The Choir

 The Cathedral Choir, which sings at the 1000 Mass each Sunday as well as at all the other major liturgies throughout the year, has vacancies for Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses.

Ideally singers should have experience of singing with a church choir, have an interest in sacred music, and be willing to attend the weekly rehearsal on Thursday evenings. A good sense of humour also helps!

If you are interested in joining the choir please speak to any of the organists to arrange a date / time for an informal audition.

 

History of the current organ

Between 1999 and 2001 major renovations took place in the Cathedral with the object of restoring the building to its former glory. As part of this plan is was decided that a major overhaul was needed for the organ. Ian Bell, an Independent Organ Consultant, was brought in to carry out a thorough survey of the existing instrument. His report revealed that the Mander instrument, which had done sterling service for some 40 years, had become unreliable and somewhat hazardous. It was decided that a new instrument was needed and, by good fortune, a T.C Lewis organ was found in a redundant church in Bishopswearmouth, Sunderland. Roughly contemporary with our Cathedral, this instrument was lovingly restored and rebuilt by David Wells and his skilled team of Organ Builders from Liverpool. A temporary case was constructed and painstakingly decorated by David Renshaw. It is hoped in time to construct a more permanent case.

Download the specification of the organ (pdf)

 

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Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.a registered charity number 1199568.