FROM PUB TO PULPIT - BRECON CATHEDRAL CENTENARY CONCERT
Saturday 20 May 2023 7.30 pm
Our Choirs are successors in the long line of musicians who have enhanced the worship at this holy place for over 900 years. A Norman Benedictine Priory was founded on the site in 1093 and would have resounded to the chanting of monks singing the many services or ‘offices’ (the Opus Dei) which took place throughout the day.
In 1537, the Priory became the Parish Church and remained so until its elevation to Cathedral status a century ago. Today our choirs offer the Sunday Eucharist and three Choral Evensong services each week in termtime.
The Brecon Cathedral Choir Trust was set up in 2003, with the aim of 'empowering young people through the gift of music', enabling the volunteer choristers to receive free music tuition. Places are available in years 4-6 for children with auditions held by arrangement. For more details, please contact Stephen Power, Director of Music on 01874 623857or talk to him after tonight’s performance.
The Choristers attend different schools in the area, rehearse three afternoons a week during term time and sing three services each week.
The lower voices are sung by adults and teenagers. They rehearse on Thursday evenings and join the choristers to sing on Fridays and Sundays. They are volunteers and some travel from as far away as Newport, Bridgend and Bristol.
The Consort On leaving the choir choristers are invited to join the Consort, a smaller chamber choir which sings Evensong on Thursdays, rehearsing on Tuesday evenings. New members are always welcome.
Both choirs have undertaken foreign tours in the past, including Italy, France, Germany and Malta, and we very much look forward to them doing so again.
PROGRAMME
Brecon Cathedral Choir
Conductor and Director of Music: Stephen Power Organ: Jeffrey Howard
The Mountains Shall Bring Peace - Joanna Forbes L’Estrange (Anthem for the Coronation of King Charles III)
Hymn to St Cecilia – Howells
My Soul there is a Country - Parry/Vaughan (local poet);
Antiphon from Five Mystical Songs – Vaughan Williams
BROOMDASHER and CORACLE will perform a selection from:
Coracle: Stoke In Uproar
Coracle: Down Ampney
Broomdasher: Spencer the Rover
Coracle: Sine Nomine/Mr Issacs Maggot
Broomdasher: Linden Lea
Broomdasher: Lovely on the Water
Coracle: Lovely Joan
Broomdasher: Lowlands of Holland
Broomdasher: The Ploughboy’s Dream
Coracle: Kings Weston
Broomdasher: Bushes and Briars
INTERVAL
Broomdasher and Coracle: The Keeper
FROM PUB TO PULPIT
Cathedral Choir; Organ; Broomdasher; Coracle and the Audience
Kingsfold: The Murder of Maria Marten and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Danby: Brisk Young Farmer and ‘Tis Winter Now the Fallen Snow (verses 1,2,3)
Monks Gate: Our Captain Calls and He Who Would V aliant Be
