Churches to mark RSCM Music Sunday; Church musicians honoured by RSCM at Exeter Cathedral; Cowboys and swimmers among choristers touring UK; Kirk Franklin to open 2012 World Choir Games; Some pop and a little rock from Capital Lights
Churches to mark RSCM Music Sunday
Churches throughout the world will be joining in a celebration of music within worship on 24th June 2012. Music Sunday is an annual initiative from the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), to acknowledge the talents and skills musicians and composers, and the importance of music in worship.
The variety of RSCM Music Sunday events this year and in recent years has been wide ranging, and the event is gradually gathering momentum. It is also an opportunity for fundraising; the 50:50 Campaign shares proceeds between the participating church, choir or school and the RSCM. “The ingenuity of some has been amazing,” says the RSCM’s Catherine Clark. “Last year there was an organ crawl in south Africa, a ‘Pimms and Pipes’ event in England, as well as barbecues and a number of sponsored singing functions. Funds raised have helped churches to pay for music and training, as well as supporting the RSCM’s education programmes.”
This year RSCM-affiliated churches are planning events around the UK and as far afield as Australia. They include ‘Songs of Praise’ services, ‘come and sing’ events, concerts, specially commissioned music, and services which include celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee or the Olympics.
“Music is a key element in the worship of so many churches,” says Lindsay Gray, Director of the RSCM. “We hope churches will celebrate the power of music to uplift and move, through a special service, or even with appropriate readings, prayers and of course, music!”
A list of events happening in the UK and overseas, plus ideas for events and downloadable resources can be found on the RSCM website www.rscm.com/musicsunday. And it’s not too late to take part this year – churches are encouraged to hold a Music Sunday event at any convenient time during the year.
Church musicians honoured by RSCM at Exeter Cathedral
Musicians from around the world were honoured by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) on Saturday 16th June 2012 at its annual Celebration Day service in Exeter Cathedral.
Recipients of honorary awards this year included the singer James Bowman, who received a Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM) and also sang a solo piece at the service. Fellowships were also conferred upon organists such as Professor David Saint from St Chad’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Birmingham, and Paul Trepte of Ely Cathedral. The RSCM’s overseas branches were well represented, with awards being presented to distinguished church musicians and RSCM volunteers from South Africa, Australia and the USA, and Nicholas Brown (member of the RSCM Devon Area Committee) was given a Certificate of Special Service. Certificates were also presented to students who have successfully completed the RSCM’s Sacred Music Studies course.
The service was also an opportunity to celebrate the work of the RSCM in providing training and support to church musicians, particularly in the South West. This was reflected in the joining together of more than 200 choristers from RSCM affiliated churches across the region, RSCM Voices (Midlands & South West), Exeter Cathedral Choir and St Peter’s Singers to sing under the direction of Dr Noël Tredinnick FRSCM, with David Davies playing the organ. A group of woodwind and brass players, led by Andrew Maries, also joined the massed forces for some of the items. The music included in the service ranged from well-known favourites such as Stanford’s Magnificat in C and Brahms’ How lovely are thy dwellings, to more contemporary pieces by Malcolm Archer and Bob Hurd, and a prayer response written by Margaret Rizza especially for the occasion.
“We were delighted to have such a wide local, national and international representation at this year’s Celebration Day service,” said Lindsay Gray, Director of the RSCM. “It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work of all those who contribute to music in worship, including those who compose, direct and perform music, as well as those who devote so much time and skill to organising training for RSCM members around the world.”
Cowboys and swimmers among choristers touring UK
Rodeo cowboys opera soloists and long distance swimmers are just some of the members of a choir from Houston touring the UK
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/cowboys.and.swimmers.among.choristers.touring.uk/30080.htm
Kirk Franklin to open 2012 World Choir Games
Gospel veteran Kirk Franklin is set to perform at the opening ceremony of this years World Choir Games
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kirk.franklin.to.open.2012.world.choir.games/30063.htm
Some pop and a little rock from Capital Lights
Capital Lights will release their sophomore album on Tooth Nail Records next month
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/some.pop.and.a.little.rock.from.capital.lights/30084.htm