Notices

Below you will find information that may affect your visit to the Cathedral, such as road closures, limited access to the Cathedral, or significant changes to services. Information with long-term relevance can be found in News.

Tenor Lay Clerk Vacancy

from September 2010

Closing date: 20 March 2010

For more information, please contact:

The Organist, James Lancelot,

6 The College, Durham DH1 3EQ

Tel. 0191 386 4766

music@durhamcathedral.co.uk

http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/music/recruitment

Update on Development

The Cathedral's Development Plan was launched just over 18 months ago with the aim of raising £7 million to help the Cathedral's mission. To date just over £1 million has been raised, much has been achieved and there continue to be challenges ahead. Of immediate concern are urgent fabric repairs and music outreach.

The recent very cold spell caused two separate masonry problems. Firstly, as temperatures returned to above freezing, a section of the city wall on the lower level immediately north of the Galilee Chapel collapsed. In addition, the weight of snow on the roof of the Great Kitchen caused water seepage through masonry work. Initial reports indicate that the repairs will cost almost £200,000.

Over recent years the Choristers have participated in ‘Sing Up', a government initiative to get primary school children singing. Each term the Choristers visit 8 schools for a joint singing session, Mish Kelly, the Cathedral's Director of Music Outreach, then continues to work with children and teachers at each school in preparation for a concert at the Cathedral. The benefits of singing are enormous; it is good aerobic exercise, as well as helping children develop cognitive learning skills and self confidence. And of course, it is great fun. The next Music Outreach Concert is 17 March and will be a lively musical occasion. The Cathedral now also has Durham Cathedral Young Singers, a community choir for 8-13 year olds that meets on Saturday mornings during term time.

This work has been made possible through government funding via the Chorister Schools Association, one of delivery partners of ‘Sing Up'. Future funding is uncertain, and the Cathedral is exploring other ways of supporting this valuable work. A number of donations have been received from members of the Cathedral community in support of this work, and a small reserve is in place. However more is needed. The Cathedral is committed to using its expertise to create music making opportunities in the wider community.

If you would like to support either of the above projects or would like information on any aspect of the Development Plan, please contact the Cathedral's Development Office on development@durhamcathedral.co.uk (0191 3751221).

Ramsay Transfiguration Window

Keep Saturday 25 September free for a full day of events surrounding the dedication at Evensong of the new stained glass window given by the Friends and made by Tom Denny in memory of Michael Ramsey. The theme of the window is ‘Transfiguration'. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.

Canon Rosalind Brown has a growing collection of people's memories of Michael Ramsey during his various years in Durham and is keen to add to it before publishing them in time for the window dedication. She also now has a hand-held recorder so if it is easier for you to speak into that than write your stories down, that can be arranged. Either way, anyone who remembers Michael Ramsey is encouraged to contribute to this affectionate tribute to him. No story is too short or too mundane. Please send stories and memories to nave.canon@durhamcathedral.co.uk or Diane McIlroy, The Chapter Office, The College, Durham, DH1 3EH.

Durham Cathedral Youth Opera

Durham Cathedral Youth Opera is looking for keen singers upto age 13 to join our Easter Course - 6 - 10 April 2010. We are looking for people who are happy singing in the chorus or solo.

Please phone 0191 3840433 and leave your name and address and we will send you more information.

Theme
The opera is taken from an article in last year's Guardian about a group of rebellious, highly skilled urban restorers who are so disgusted by the state of many of their national monuments and treasures that they decide to take matters into their own hands with unexpected results.

The action involves, the Paris Pantheon, a 150 year old clock, the National Grid, the odd pigeon and a few packing cases ..........

Lunchtime Concert Series

This year sees the launch of a lunchtime concert series. The concerts this term will take place from 1.15 pm for 30 to 40 minutes on the following Mondays: 8 February; 22 February; 8 March; 22 March.

The series will be opened by Oliver Brett (Assistant Organist) and Michael Hickman (Choral Scholar) with a programme of piano duets.

Admission to these concerts is free, and there will be a retiring collection.

Chorister Auditions

SATURDAYS 6 FEBRUARY and 8 MAY 2010

Could your child be a chorister?

You will only know if you let them try.

Durham Cathedral Choir consists of 20 girl Choristers and 20 boy Choristers who sing separately alongside the 12 gentlemen of the Choir. It is run by 4 organists.
Choristers typically join the Choir between the ages of 7 and 9, and remain until the age of 13.
All Choristers attend the Chorister School, where they receive a discounted education as boarding pupils. Further means-tested financial support can be provided.
Choristers receive a first-class musical education and experience performing to the highest of standards in one of Britain's most beautiful cathedrals.
The majority of the Choir's singing takes place during the daily worship of Durham Cathedral.
However, the Choir also takes part in concerts, recordings, live broadcasts on the radio and television, and international tours.
As well as singing in the Choir the Choristers participate fully in all of the extra-curricular activities that the School offers.

Auditions for Chorister Scholarships will be held during February and May. Boys and girls aged 6 to 10 will be invited to apply.

Tel : 0191 384 2935

Enquiries@choristers.durham.sch.uk