Rock legend Ian Anderson is bringing his Christmas Jethro Tull Concert to a brace of our cathedrals this December.
Tickets have just gone on sale for a gig Wakefield Cathedral on Friday, December 6 to help raise funds and fly the flag for the Christian tradition.
And the band will then head north to play Ripon Cathedral the following evening.
Ian said: “Whether your Christmas is a secular affair of gift-giving and family gatherings, or a more worshipful recognition of one of the two biggest days in the Christian calendar, join us for some uplifting Christmas spirit, music, readings and maybe even a prayer or two.”
Ian, a self professed Deist/Pantheist, has a heart for the Christian traditions and aims to support both the Christian religion and the places of worship by performing in some of the country’s cathedrals and churches to help them raise much needed funds.
The famous flautist added: “The bringing together of people of all backgrounds, cultures and faiths in this way is possible perhaps only under the auspices of modern Christianity, especially in the Anglican Church.
“If I can help draw people in to these beautiful and historic buildings to savour just a little of the spirit of Christmas, then it is a worthwhile effort.”
One hundred per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to the cathedral for the upkeep of the building and its musical tradition.
“I try to balance the festive time of year in song with a few of the elements of an old fashioned carol service – all delivered with good humour and good cheer.
“Grace me, and hopefully a few special guests, with your presence for some of the best known repertoire of Jethro Tull and a few snippets of seasonal traditional church and classical music,” Ian said.
Details for Wakefield Cathedral are available online at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-with-jethro-tull-tickets-59530090102
Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign is also delighted to be hosting a special concert with Ian and the band on Saturday, December 7 - a performance which he is also donating free of charge.
The programme will include some of the best-known tracks in the repertoire of the 70’s band Jethro Tull and added to this are reworked classical and traditional pieces from the liturgy.
The acclaimed Ripon Cathedral Choir will also be supporting the concert.
The Campaign Office has been inundated with ticket bookings and Fundraising Events Officer Molly Lawson said: “We are delighted that ticket sales have been so popular and we encourage those who wish to attend to buy their tickets quickly.
“We are very grateful for Ian Anderson supporting Ripon Cathedral by giving this concert and we are looking forward to welcoming him and his band to Ripon for this fantastic event!”
Details for Ripon Cathedral are available online at