Come and Sing

by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sing in a large choir here at the Metropolitan Cathedral? Why not come along on Saturday 25 March and join a massed choir under the baton of Archdiocese Choral Director Joe Watson?

For this occasion (the Solemnity of the Annunciation) a special choir assembled on the day will sing Antonio Vivaldi’s popular ‘Gloria’, alongside a special new piece of music composed in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Dr Rebekah Okpoti (lecturer in music at Liverpool Hope University.)

The choir will be formed of two groups:

1) Singers from Cathedrals Group of Universities (universities across the country that have religious affiliations) www.cathedralsgroup.ac.uk

2) A ‘Come and Sing’ choir formed especially for the occasion

A ‘Come and Sing’ choir is a group of individuals (or sometimes an established choir/singing group) that joins together with other like minded people to form a special choir for a day. On Saturday 25 March all of our singers will come together for the first time in the afternoon, rehearse together, and then perform in the evening.

YouTube rehearsal links are provided to all participants, so that they can practise and familiarise themselves with their parts ahead of the day. Reading music is not a prerequisite as music can be learnt with the YouTube links.

The large choir (so far we have over 150 people signed up) will be accompanied by the recently restored Cathedral Grand Organ, played by James Luxton.

If you would like to come along and join the ‘Come and Sing’ choir, or simply to attend what will be a wonderful evening as an audience member, please visit: www. ticketsource.co.uk/metcathedral

Tickets are priced at £5 for both singers and audience members, and u18’s and students can attend for free!

We hope that this will be the first of many such events, welcoming people from across the archdiocese to sing at special events and concerts here in the cathedral!