The start of 2010 saw the Cathedral Choir record a new CD which should be available
for purchase later in the year. The CD, recorded over three nights in February,
includes a repertoire which will be used when the choir tours again enabling audiences
to buy a cd which matches the event programme. The CD will include music by Tallis
(O nata lux), Poulenc (Hodie Christus natus est), Handl (Omnes de saba) and the very
first recording of the St Hild Service by Richard Lloyd.
The Cathedral Chapter is delighted to announce that a new shop at the Cathedral, under its own management, opened on 1 March 2010, in the entrance to the Great Kitchen. It will focus on gifts and publications for visitors, and of course CD recordings of the Cathedral Choir and Consort of Singers, and other DCCA publications
For other diary dates and services in 2009/10 click here
Grand re-union of Durham Cathedral Musicians 17 July 2010
Watercolour Book and Originals on Sale
Cathedral Says Goodbye and Good Luck
This year we had a special treat in our members’ concert since our choir was joined
by the visiting French children’s choir, Les Petits Chanteurs de St François de Versailles.
The sound of the choirs was wonderful, and enjoyed by a large audience. Afterwards
musicians and audience met for a glass of wine – the whole was a wonderful occasion
Members’ Concert Sunday 11 July
Strong links have been made between Durham and Paris/Versailles as a result of our musicians’ touring there in 2008 and 2009. A Parisian artist, Benoît Roman D’Amat, has produced some lovely contemporary watercolour pictures of Durham, which have been made into a delightful booklet, Strolls around Historic Durham, with historical notes. These are on sale in the Cathedral shop for £5, or by post from the Chapter Office, The College, Durham DH1 3EH (cheques for £6.50 inc p&p).
An exhibition was staged of the original watercolours used in the book on Saturday 3 July, in the Galilee Chapel. This was a very successful event, and more than half of the original paintings were sold. However we still have paintings for sale, some which were included in the book, as well as others. They are in specially-made oak frames with triple mounts, and are on sale for £150 each. They can be seen here If you would like to buy one, please e-mail dcca@durhamcathedral.co.uk
An event for Chorister parents on Saturday 2 October, an introduction to DCCA, refreshments and
behind-the-scenes tour at the Cathedral.
James MacMillan composition:
DCCA along with Durham Cathedral Chapter, the Friends of Durham Cathedral, and Durham University have
between them commissioned a Mass from the composer James Macmillan. The first performance
of the Mass is to be given by the Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral’s Eucharist service
at 11.15 on Sunday 27 February, 2011.
On Sunday the 18th July Durham Cathedral said goodbye to another cohort of Choristers and choir men at the traditional dismissal service. A fabulous and as always very emotional event saw the departure of Isaac Walton, Liam Jones, Matthew Kaley, Niall Bennison, and for the first time a cohort of girl choristers were dismissed too in Catherine Pemberton, Francesca Brown, Laure De Longevialle, Apolline Jauffret, and Anna Roberts. The departing choirmen were Alastair Kisby, Jonathan Geoghegan,
Jonathan Lloyd and Michael Hickman. Following the traditional lunchtime picnic and speeches at which the leaving choristers sang ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing’ a lovely evensong service and formal dismissal included a superb rendition of Parry’s Blessed Pair of Sirens leaving few dry eyes in the Quire. At the same time the school and the choristers said goodbye to housemaster Tim Butcher who left
to take up a deputy headship position at Winchetser House. The DCCA wishes them all good luck and hopes to see them all again.
