Choral singing is booming at Halifax Minster and to celebrate it is launching two new choirs for children and adults.
The vicar of Halifax Minster, the Revd Canon Hilary Barber is also now able to hand over the role of Director of Music, after three great years during which the minster choir has gone from strength to strength.
“This is all about church growth – numbers of people worshipping in the Minster are climbing due to the high standard of music from the Minster Choir and Chamber Choir, the weekly organ recitals, and the ever growing concert program of music from many different genres,” Revd Hilary said.
“We are about to launch two new choirs. The first is for five to eight-year-olds on Tuesdays 4.30pm to 5.30pm as a feeder group for the Minster choir.
“We are also starting a Minster Voluntary Choir for adults who want to sing during the holidays when the Minster Choir is away.
“That will be open to anyone who wants to come and join in,” said Revd Hilary, pictured with the choir on tour at Coventry Cathedral.
The junior choir will launch after the October school half term, and the adult choir after Christmas.
Speaking fondly of his time as Musical Director, Revd Hilary said that following staff restructuring he had agreed to take on the role:
“In a previous life I had been a Diocesan Music and Liturgy Adviser, so I agreed to take on the additional role until such time as I was able to hand over to someone else.
“Three years later, we have a thriving Minster Choir with 18 Choristers and their families, and a Chamber Choir that performs occasionally throughout the year, and joins with the Minster Choir for major Festivals and broadcasts and recordings.
“We’ve toured Germany, and sang at Norwich, Ely, Bury St Edmunds, Coventry, and Derby Cathedrals. We’ve broadcast live for BBC radio and television, and farmed out choristers to sing solos for local choral societies. It’s been a whirl wind and often exhausting as well as exhilarating.
“We are now in a different place from three years ago, and I’m delighted that I can now confidently appoint my good friend and colleague Graham Gribbin as Director of Music and Head of the Music Department.
“We want more and more people to come and enjoy making music in the wonderful space of the Minster, drawing others to come and listen, growing the church and helping to make our worship full of awe and wonder, catching a glimpse of God’s glory and that of heaven.”
Graham said he was excited to take over at a time of great optimism in Halifax and the Minster;
“The Minster is a very busy place with music at the heart of it.
“We have worked hard to turn the recitals into fundraisers for the music department, enabling the choir to go on tour and to fund the choristers’ weekly musical tuition.
“In the next few weeks I aim to strengthen the music department team so we can continue deliver the current high standards of music and to form the two new choirs,” said Graham, pictured at the organ.