HHCT is delighted to announce a new collaboration with Hereford Cathedral School’s Music Outreach organisation. Launching this month, ‘Music in Quiet Places’ will be bringing a variety of live performances to the general public in large and small church venues across the county.
Most of the events in this inaugural season are free of charge, and there will be a retiring collection after each performance in aid of HHCT.
Most performers are giving freely of their time in order to build up funds to support the work of HHCT, and to engage the services of an increasing number of professional musicians in subsequent seasons (whilst maintaining a unique Herefordshire feel, of course).
The first performance will be an evening of sacred and secular music with BBC Songs of Praise Choir of the Year ‘Cantabile’, HCJS Chamber Choir (winners of the Barnardo’s choir of the year) and HCS Senior Chamber Choir who represented Great Britain in the International WWI commemorations in Brussels. It will take place in the beautiful church of St Michael & All Angels, Ledbury, one of the largest medieval churches in Herefordshire, on Friday 2nd October at 7pm.
To honour the WW1 centenary, a piece of music was commissioned to accompany the words of Herefordian and former HCS pupil, Digby Haseler, who wrote ‘Skylark’ during the Great War. Hereford Cathedral School’s ‘Cantabile’ Girls’ Choir performed the resulting piece at the BBC Songs of Praise Senior School Choir of the Year Competition back in May, and won!
This talented group of 17 female singers (click here to hear them sing), which beat some of the finest school choirs from across the UK, isn’t the only musical talent in the county; not by a long shot. So, identifying with the needs of Herefordshire people, ‘Music in Quiet Places’ delivers homegrown talent direct to many of our beautiful outlying villages, with the aim of establishing a following of people who appreciate top quality music in intimate surroundings and have an interest in visiting our rural churches.
Commenting on the collaboration, the Chairman of HHCT, the Earl of Darnley said:
“Herefordshire has an outstanding musical heritage, which has largely, over the course of history, been associated with the county’s ancient religious buildings. ‘Music in Quiet Places’ promotes homegrown musical talent while supporting the preservation and appreciation of our beautiful churches, so I am delighted to see this initiative come together.”
Keep your eyes peeled on our homepage and Twitter feed for further details of concerts. Alternatively, you can contact the HCS Music Administrator on eplewi@herefordcs.com or 01432 363531, or HHCT Membership Secretary on 01531 670805 or alihjmeycote@btinternet.com.
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Skylark – by Digby Haseler
One lark sings over no man’s land.
The batteries roar on either hand,
And very angry guns are they
Now the night turns into day.
One lark sings over no man’s land.
The more they shell the more he sings!
Little bird, can you understand
All the meaning of all these things
It’s a far cry across the sea
To the folk who gave my life to me.
Praise be to God who all good planned
One lark sings over no mans land
