German girls' choir to sing at First World War remembrance events

An internationally-renowned German choir will be welcomed at two diocesan events to mark the the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The Madchenchor Hanover (Hanover Girls' Choir) will perform at Halifax Minster in a free concert, paid for by the German government, on Saturday, November 10.

Firstly, they will sing and walk from Halifax's Piece Hall to the Minster for the event which starts at 7pm.

They will then take part in a special Remembrance Day service at Ripon Cathedral on the morning of November 11 which will be attended by Bishop Nick and when the preacher will be Bishop Ralf Meister – the Bishop of Hanover and Ecumenical Canon at Ripon Cathedral.

The Hanover Girls' Choir was formed in 1952 and is one of the best youth choirs in Germany, has won numerous international competitions and performed all over the world.

The programme for Remembrance Sunday in Ripon is as follows:

Act of Remembrance

10.45am, War Memorial, Spa Gardens

Ceremony at the war memorial in Spa Gardens, including two minute’s silence and the laying of wreaths by the Mayor of the City and other local and Service organisations.

This will be followed by a civic parade to Ripon Cathedral which, this year, will include 240 young people representing those soldiers named on the Ripon War Memorial.

Service of Remembrance

11.40am, Ripon Cathedral

Led by the Dean of Ripon Cathedral, John Dobson, addresses will be given by the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds, and Bishop Ralf Meister of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany.

The service ends with an act of commitment to peace and the singing of the National Anthem.