Combined Choir Of 300 In Festival Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 14

Combined Choir Of 300 In Festival Service

A festival service will be held by the Diocese of Christchurch branch of the Royal School of Church Music in Christchurch Cathedral on Thursday evening. A choir of 300 will be conducted by Mr P. Godfrey, organist and choirmaster at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Auckland. and conducter of the Auckland Dorian Singers, who visited Christchurch recently The choristers are from 18 choirs—ls Anglican, two Presbyterian, and one Baptist, all belonging to the Roval School of Church Music. There are 34 trebles, 130 sopranos, 50 contraltos, 36 tenors, and 50 basses.

The service will follow the order of Evensong, and will include a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A minor by Sir William Harris, who for many years was organist at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

One of the anthems, “Praise to God in the Highest,” was composed by Sir Sidney Campbell. who was formerly organist at Canterbury Cathedral. and has now succeeded Sir William Harris at St. George's Chapel. Windsor. Two anthems will be sung un-a'-comoanied: “O Lord. Give Thy Holy Spirit,” bv the six-teenth-century English composer, Thomas Tallis, and “Jesus, Grant me this I Pray,” by Orlando Gibbons, arranged by E. C. Bairstow. formerly organist at York Minster.

The precentor for the service will be Canon R. P. Andrews, vicar of Cashmere, and Canon R. J. P. Witty, vicar of St. Luke’s Church, Manchester street, will preach the sermon The lessons will be read by the Rev. A H. McLeod, minister of the Oxford terrace Baptist Church, and Mr P. B Savery, Christchurch secretary of the Royal School of Church Music, who has been responsible for the organisation of the festival. Intercessions will be led by the Ven. W. M Davies. The combined choirs will be accompanied by Mr C. Foster Browne, organist and master of the chorists at Christchurch Cathedral, and at the end of the service he will play Bach’s Toccata in F major.