Welcome to Leeds – A special welcome for students at Leeds Minster
Finding a church as a student can feel daunting, but Leeds Minster is a fantastic place to call your spiritual… read more
We are delighted to announce that we have received a grant of £16,200 from the Board of Trustees of Cathedral Music Trust, as part of their Cathedral Music Support Programme, to fund four Choral Scholarships in the Choir of Leeds Minster for the next two years.
This is hugely significant for the Minster’s ministry through music and we are deeply grateful to the Trust for their generosity. Leeds Minster has a long tradition as one of the leading standard bearers for Anglican choral worship in West Yorkshire, and this grant will enable us to look with confidence to the future.
Our Choral Scholarships scheme has played an essential role in the development of the Minster Choir over the last seven years or so into the superb ensemble that now lifts our worship at the three choral services that take place each week.
The scholarships give the choral scholars the opportunity to develop their vocal skills and practical musicianship, singing alongside the experienced volunteers that form the core of the choir, preparing them for a lifetime of fulfilling musical activity and, hopefully, further participation in Church Music.
The Minster Choir has just completed its academic year and begun its summer break, a break which will be punctuated by a residency at St Albans Cathedral at the start of August. The year has been marked by a number of highlights.
November saw the recording, and May the commercial release on the esteemed Priory label, of a CD of music by William Lloyd Webber (father of Sir Andrew and Julian). None of this music had previously been recorded. It included his undeservedly neglected Cantata, The Saviour, which the Minster Choir also sang live as a Sermon in Music on Passion Sunday. Both the recording and live performance featured former choral scholar Nathan Booker as the fine tenor soloist.
In March, Leeds Minster Children’s Choir was founded, in association with St Peter’s C of E Primary School, once again giving children the experience and opportunities of regular choral singing at Leeds Minster.
The end of term sees the departure of no fewer than seven choral scholars, who have completed their studies and are moving on to pastures new. We thank them for all they have given to the Minster, and we look forward with anticipation to recruiting their successors in the Autumn. Details can be found here.
Once again, we are deeply indebted to Cathedral Music Trust for their generosity and their support of our ongoing musical ministry at Leeds Minster.
