Choristers record hymns from their homes

While the Coronavirus pandemic has stopped Norwich Cathedral’s choristers from performing in concerts and services this Easter, the young people have not let the situation stop them from making music. The choristers – each in their individual homes – have been working on some very special recordings of popular hymns which have been published on the Norwich Cathedral Services YouTube channel today for everyone to enjoy.

Master of Music Ashley Grote tasked each of the choristers with singing and recording individual lines, and the results have been digitally woven together by the Cathedral’s Assistant Organist George Inscoe to create some unique recordings of Dear Lord and Father of Mankind and Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.

Ashley said: “At this time when we are all separated from each other, we wanted to come up with a project that enabled our choristers to sing and to feel part of something as one, even though they can’t be together in person.

“We also wanted to produce something that will give our community, and those further afield, some enjoyment, joy and comfort. The choristers make a huge contribution to the life of our Cathedral, and we value their role enormously.”

About the choice of hymns, Ashley said: “For the girls, we picked Dear Lord and Father of Mankind – which ends with the words ‘O still small voice of calm’ – something the world desperately needs at this time.

“The boys recorded Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, which again has words that speak to us at this time of anxiety – ‘Strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield’.”

In addition to working on the singing project, the choristers and the Cathedral’s music team have also been keeping in touch by meeting weekly online for quizzes, games and musical activities.

Fifteen-year-old, Abi Mansley, a member of the Girls’ Choir and who attends Framingham Earl High School, said: “During isolation we are all really missing the choir, which is like our second family, so it has been great that we can still work together, connect and sing!”

The choristers’ hymn recordings are the latest in a series of videos that have been published on the new Norwich Cathedral Services YouTube Channel to help people with their worship at home this Holy Week and Easter.

More videos due to published by Norwich Cathedral in the run-up to Easter Sunday include:

Maundy Thursday

The Bishop of Norwich will present a short homily, the Dean of Norwich will lead prayers, and members of Chapter will read the story of the Last Supper.

Good Friday

The Cathedral’s medieval roof bosses, which decorate the ceiling of Nave, will be the focus of a video looking at the Passion narrative and the Meditations on Mary.

A Good Friday service will focus on the Veneration of the Cross.

Holy Saturday Evening

The Revd Canon Aidan Platten, Canon Precentor, will alone light the Easter Fire and Paschal Candle.

Easter Sunday

The Dean of Norwich will celebrate the Eucharist from the Deanery and deliver a short Easter Day message from the Cathedral. This video will feature music from the Cathedral’s Easter Day Eucharist recorded in 2017.

In addition, the sublime sound of the Norwich Cathedral Choir will also be heard across the national airwaves on Easter Sunday at 3pm when BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting Norwich Cathedral’s Easter Day Choral Evensong from 2017.