Celebrating our Musical Heritage

31st January 2025

Lincoln Cathedral has announced its theme for 2025, Our Music, God’s Song which is dedicated to spreading its musical legacy across local schools with a new partnership role and Exeter too has created a new role as it recruits a community songwriting choir that will write and perform songs inspired by its famous Exeter Book.

Celebrating our musical heritage for the 21st century

Just two musical innovations from our cathedrals for 2025 that celebrates and shares our musical heritage.

Exeter Cathedral’s ancient book of riddles provides inspiration for new community choir.

Exeter Cathedral’s ancient book of riddles provides inspiration for new community choir

Exeter Cathedral is recruiting a new community songwriting choir that will write and perform songs inspired by its famous Exeter Book – a 10th century collection of riddles, thought to be the oldest surviving book of English literature in the world.

Photo : Ella Foster

The ‘Book of Riddles Community Choir,’ is being formed in partnership with Devon-based band and artistic collective, Jack Dean & Company, who have written a new musical called ‘The Book of Riddles.’ The choir will be helping to write songs for the musical, before performing their songs at the cathedral.

For singer and writer Jack Dean, the Book of Riddles project is an opportunity to encourage local people to explore their creativity and create songs inspired by the origins of the Exeter Book.

He explained:

“We will be making and rehearsing songs inspired by riddles in the Exeter Book, some of which are humorous, some are religious, some are still unsolved; all of them are poetic and playful.

“It is a really rich starting point. We want to offer people a friendly, welcoming space to come together to sing, be creative and make some music. At the end of the project, we will celebrate what we have been making and rehearsing with a work-in-progress performance.”

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the new choir is open to adults aged 18 and over, of all singing abilities. The choir is to meet weekly to write and rehearse and will be able to learn more about the story behind the famous book, with dedicated research sessions exploring Exeter Cathedral’s Library & Archive collections.

Lis Spencer, Community Outreach & Partnerships Officer at Exeter Cathedral, said the project is an excellent opportunity for Exeter residents to engage with their heritage:

“The Book of Riddles Project is an exciting opportunity to discover more about the Exeter Book – which is of great national and international importance – while also learning new skills including singing and songwriting.

“Even if you are not sure if singing is for you – all are welcome to come along and give it a go!”

Rehearsals for The Book of Riddles Community Choir will take place from 12 February – 23 April 2025 at 7pm. More information about the choir and how to sign up can be found here.

Lincoln Cathedral has marked its theme for 2025 Our Music: God’s Song with the announcement of a unique role.

Our Music: God’s Song Lincoln Cathedral

The role of Cathedral’s Singing Partnership Lead is part of the Cathedral’s ambition to support local schools and help them enhance their musical provision through singing.

The news of the partnership role marks the start of Our Music: God’s Song – the Cathedral’s theme for 2025.

The year will see a focus on music of all kinds with performances throughout the year including Bach’s St John Passion, Lincoln Jazz festival, a special concert to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day performed by the Band of the Royal Air Force College, the popular ‘concerts by candlelight’ series, and much more besides.

Jack Holliday has been appointed to the role and will deliver workshops with several schools around Lincoln including St Faith and St Martin, and Nettleham Junior School.

The initiative has been designed to support delivery of music provision and to instil a passion for singing and music making in young people. It is hoped that as well as the workshops delivered by the Cathedral that the schools involved will be supported to form their own choirs for pupils.

Jack, an experienced musical director across a wide range of genres, said: “Music has been my career and my passion for as long as I can remember and all of that started when I was a child.

“The joy of singing is that you don’t need expensive instruments to take part, just the confidence to use your voice and some guidance to get you started. 

“Singing gives children an opportunity to express themselves and to demonstrate their creativity, and this project enables us to help more children discover and develop their voices.”

Aric Prentice, Director of Music and Master of the Choristers at Lincoln Cathedral, said:

“We’re privileged to be part of a centuries old choral tradition at Lincoln Cathedral and see daily the difference singing makes in people’s lives – both for those performing in the choir and for those who find peace, inspiration and joy in the music they hear at services and concerts in the Cathedral.

“There are numerous studies that show that singing helps to improve happiness and wellbeing, and that group singing helps to form social bonds. There are benefits to breathing and posture, it exercises the brain and help to develop expression and language skills. But more than anything, it is a wonderful skill that people can enjoy right through their life. It’s important for us to be able to share that with new generations of singers.”

Details of events, workshops and activities for Our Music: God’s Song can be found on the Cathedral’s website, and will be added to throughout the year.

All our cathedrals offer regular musical programmes that often include free lunchtime organ recitals. Do check your local cathedral’s website for up-to-date information.

Worcester Cathedral is preparing for a busy new year of music as it invites the community to come along to the spring series of lunchtime recitals which started in January

The cathedral will host renowned British concert pianist Viv McLean for a Valentine’s-themed programme that includes Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’, Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’, Chopin nocturnes, and George Gershwin’s celebration of life, love, and music, ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.

Worcester Cathedral is preparing for a busy new year of music as it invites the community to come along to the spring series of lunchtime recitals which started in January

Described as “possessing the genius one finds in those who know how to forget themselves”, since winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona Viv McLean has performed in all the major venues in the UK as well as throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA.

There is also a range of candlelit concerts coming up at the Cathedral, including the music of Coldplay, The Drifters, The Beatles, Radiohead, U2 and Bowie, as well as live performances by Tunde of Lighthouse Family and Boney M. And tickets are also available for Worcester Festival Choral Society’s performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s inspirational 1727 oratorio St Matthew Passion on Saturday 22 March.

Gloucester Cathedral has just announced A Celebration of Gloucestershire” Concert – part of a series of events including a photography exhibition, family-friendly activities, and tours of the hidden library to celebrate Gloucestershire’s heritage and creativity.

A Celebration of Gloucestershire” Concert - Gloucester Cathedral

Organised in partnership with the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, these events aim to showcase the county’s beauty, traditions and diversity.

The concert on Friday 21 February  features performances from Chipping Campden Morris Dancers, Stroud Symphony Orchestra and others, showcasing the talents found across the county.

Admission to the concert is free, but booking is required -more here:  Gloucester Cathedral website.

Canon Rebecca Lloyd, Director of Learning and Participation at Gloucester Cathedral said:

“It has been wonderful working in collaboration with the High Sheriff on this diverse and exciting programme of activities and events to celebrate the wonderful county we call home.

There is plenty to discover in this county, from its natural beauty and unique history to its stunning architecture, weird and wonderful folk traditions and, of course, our Cathedral which serves the whole county (and beyond).  I hope these events will remind us all how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place, and how the Cathedral reflects and celebrates the best of our city, county and diocese.”

Mark Hurrell, The High Sheriff of Gloucestershire added:

“I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the Cathedral team on A Celebration of Gloucestershire. The concert in particular will be a wonderful occasion, where we will bring together a wide variety of performers and celebrate the talents of those who live and work in this brilliant county. Let’s get together for a fun evening to celebrate the amazing activities that our county provides. Do come and join us!”

A retiring collection will support the Cathedral’s In Tune music campaign and the Anne Cadbury Fund for apprenticeships.

In Tune aims to raise £3 million by 2026 to fund the rebuilding of the Cathedral’s famous organ and a variety of exciting initiatives to unlock musical potential and opportunity across the city, county and diocese.

At the heart of Gloucester Cathedral’s rich musical tradition is a belief that music is for everyone and it is committed to offering inclusive musical and singing experiences, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Click here to donate to In Tune

And this weekend Bradford Cathedral partnered with The Cathedral Music Trust to host a Come and Sing event for Candlemas.

Singers of all ages and ability (the only stipulation was they had to be able to read music) were invited to join the cathedral’s voluntary choir at a special Candlemas Carol Service.

The Cathedral Music Trust is a national charity which supports the musicianship in cathedrals and churches through its programmes, training, advocacy and research. Its vision is to create a vibrant choral music scene that champions excellence and provides opportunities for people from all walks of life to thrive and develop.