A member of the Wakefield Cathedal choir has produced a beautiful, digital rendition of Lloyd's four part anthem View Me Lord.
Jessica Parnell, a choral scholar at Wakefield Cathedral, recorded the anthem at home, singing all four parts individually and editing them together into one recording.
[VIDEO::https://youtu.be/ml5DZio0zXg]
The Dean of Wakefield Cathedral, the Very Revd Simon Cowling, said, “All our choir members at Wakefield Cathedral have been keeping busy during this difficult period. They have had regular Zoom rehearsals and have been doing weekly recordings which we have been able to use for our Sunday services.
“Individual singers have been busy with their own projects too, and we’re delighted to be able to share Jess’s video with you!”
Reflecting on her love for music and journey to becoming a member of the choir at Wakefield Cathedral, Jessica Parnell said, “I’ve loved singing for as long as I can remember. I discovered choral music in particular whilst I was at secondary school, at Ripon Grammar School in North Yorkshire, where we had the most wonderful head of Music.”
“Come September 2019, I was ready to start at CAPA performing arts college in Wakefield to study musical theatre. I was moving away from home and in with my Grandparents to facilitate me attending college. I didn’t know anyone so I was completely starting fresh. A very daunting but exciting experience.”
“I wasn’t sure entirely how cathedral choirs ran but I looked into Wakefield Cathedral on their website on the off chance there may be an opportunity to be part of the choir. I was really pleased to find out that they took on girl choristers up until the age of 18. Eventually, I went along for a voice test and to my surprise they offered me a place in the choir straight away. I started in September, singing treble in the girls’ choir and as a choral scholar singing alto on the back row.”
“Music and singing means an awful lot to me and it’s really difficult being away from the cathedral during these unprecedented times. However, we have produced some beautiful choir recordings from within our own homes.
"I strongly believe that music has been a great way for people to connect whilst we have been in lockdown and I definitely wouldn’t be coping without it.
“I made the video as a personal project in my spare time. It was one of the first choral pieces I remember singing so it means a lot to me. I really hope people enjoy it and it is an honour to be a part of Wakefield Cathedral choir.
"I look forward to us singing together again, hopefully in the not too distant future.”