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Durham Cathedral Choir Tour to Versailles, 16 - 23 June 2008
Durham Cathedral Choir has been invited to visit Versailles for a week this June, singing concerts in Notre-Dame de Paris and the cathedrals of Versailles and Chartres, as well as the American Church in Paris, and the churches at Auvers-sur-Oise and Neauphle-le-Château.
The purpose of the tour is to create musical links and exchanges between the two cathedrals of Durham and Versailles, as well as fostering ecumenical ties, dialogue and friendship between the two dioceses.
Raising money to support the trip is being undertaken by Durham Cathedral Choir Association and the members of the choir themselves. The DCCA has been involved in negotiating sponsorship opportunities and other fund-raising, whilst one of the Choristers has created a photographic print of Durham Cathedral and produced a greetings card, with proceeds going towards the trip. Durham Cathedral Old Choristers Association meanwhile has given us a generous grant to cover our coach travel. Many of the costs of the tour, once the choir arrives in France, will be covered by grants and fees from paying concerts. The choir will stay with French families in the parish, where they will be able to experience French culture.
As well as a marvellous adventure for the choir it is a working tour, involving a busy schedule. Highlights of the schedule include:
Tuesday 17 June - Concert at Chartres Cathedral
Wednesday 18 June - Concert at the Church of Notre Dame d'Auvers-sur-Oise as part of the Festival International d'Auvers-sur-Oise
Friday 20 June - Concerts at Notre-Dame de Paris and a concert at the American Church in Paris
Saturday 21 June - Visit to Neauphle-le-Château and a concert at the Church of Neauphle-le-Château with the choir of Versailles, as part of a nationwide annual celebration of music
Sunday 22 June - High Mass at the Cathedral of Versailles with the choir of Versailles Cathedral, and Evensong and Benediction at the church of St Jeanne-d'Arc.
(Posted on Thursday 24th April 2008)