Liverpool Cathedral Choir returns to lead worship
We have decided to delay the return of the full choir due to one of the choristers testing positive for Covid-19. We will let people know when it will now resume
It is six months since the cathedral choir was silenced due to the Covid19 lockdown and restrictions. Even during the second world war there remained some choral services at the cathedral, so this has been a trying time for our choristers and adult musicians. British scientists have now agreed that with proper mitigation and risk assessments, it is safe to return to singing in a cathedral as large as ours. So we are delighted to be able to hear our world-class sing in its proper home setting.
The Cathedral’s Director of Music, Lee Ward said, “We are thrilled that we can now return to rehearsing and singing services at the cathedral. Our choristers have been brilliant in remaining engaged through lockdown and we are lucky in that we seem not to have lost any due to voice changes or them becoming disillusioned.”
Liverpool Cathedral Choir consists of sixteen boy choristers and twenty-four girl choristers aged between 8 and 18 years. The choir also comprises six adult singers or ‘Vicars Choral´, and six Choral Scholars. There are also two Organ Scholars, two Organists and a Director of Choral Outreach. Such a long period without rehearsing and opportunity to practice the organ has left Lee Ward with some nervousness as to how the choir will sound. “Voices need constant training and proper technical exercising. It will be with some trepidation that I hear the choristers for the first time on Monday afternoon.”
The first service of Choral Evensong will be on Tuesday 16th September at 5.30 pm in the Lady Chapel, exactly six months to the day since the last choral service.
It certainly won’t be as normal though. Extensive risk assessments have been made. Social distancing, sanitizing areas and new arrangements for music copies and robes are all part of the very detailed planning. There will be fewer sung services for the first half of the term.
Singing plays an enormous part in the choristers’ life and they are itching to see their friends again and to sing in Britain´s largest cathedral. Singing is also so wonderful for well-being and we are delighted that our various other choirs and music groups ranging from Teeny Maestros (cradle to age 5), School of Music (Theory, GCSE, vocal and instrumental lessons) Junior Choir, Youth Choir and L64 community choir will also be able to return to rehearsing.
Despite all these special measures and altered routines, the return of sung services at the Cathedral marks a significant step in the direction towards recovery.
Advance booking is required for our weekend services. You can do this at our Eventbrite booking site which will open in the middle of the week.
Our sung services
Tuesday 5.30 pm Choral Evensong sung by Choral Scholars in Lady Chapel
Thursday 5.30 pm Choral Evensong sung by Girls and Adult voices in Lady Chapel
Saturday at 3 pm Choral Evensong sung by Boys or Girls and adults in the main space
Sunday at 10.30 am Choral Eucharist sung by Boys or Girls and adults in the main space
Sunday at 3 pm Choral Evensong sung by Boys or Girls and adults in the main space