On the 29th July Cathedral Musical Director Dr Peter Litman, Organ Scholar Jack Oades, 17 Choristers and 10 lay clerks will spend three nights visiting the Diocese of Cashel and Ossory in Ireland on a cultural visit and sing in three of its six Cathedrals.
The cultural trip came about following a conversation between Dr Litman and Bishop Michael of Kilkenny last year whilst Bishop Michael was visiting the Cathedral.
‘At the Cathedral we are excited by the cultural visit being made by our choir, they are great ambassadors for the Cathedral, and we look forward to expanding the link with Cashel and Ossory Diocese’ said Very Revd Nigel Godfrey (Dean of Cathedral IOM).
On Saturday 30th July the choir will sing Evensong at Kilkenny Cathedral. The music will include Stanford’s Canticles in C and Bairstow’s Save Us O Lord. Jack Oades has written the responses.
Sunday 31st July the choir will sing a Choral Eucharist at Waterford Cathedral which will feature Jackson’s Communion Service in G and MacMillan’s Ave Maria Stella. The Dean of Cathedral IOM will preach at this service. In the evening they will sing Evensong at the tiny Cathedral of St Laserian at Old Leighlin featuring music by Tallis, Holman and Hilton.
Happily, it is not all work and no play for the choir, they will enjoy a number of social and recreational activities including a visit to Ireland’s National Reptile Zoo, guided tours and even some caving!
The Cathedral choir was formed in 2012 by Dr Peter Litman. It consists of child choristers and auditioned adult singers. They sing twice each week at St German’s Cathedral in Peel as well as other events around the island. Dr Litman has recently been awarded honorary Fellowship of Guild of Church Musicians (Hon.FGCM) for distinguished services to Church Music on the Isle of Man. The award will be presented in London in November later this year. Dr Litman said, ‘I was overwhelmed by the award of Honorary Fellowship to the Guild, but it is a fitting testament also to the singers and organists I have worked alongside at the Cathedral’.
Interested choristers and parents can contact Dr Litman at music@cathedral.im
This trip would not be possible without the St German’s Cathedral Music and Arts Foundation, the Choir Parents’ Association, The Bishop of Sodor and Man, The Bishop of Kilkenny, The Admiral Feteris Foundation, Manx Children in Need, Shoprite and many anonymous donations. Many thanks to all.
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