Cathedral Music Trust to Support Musical Legacies at 12 Cathedrals

Twelve of our cathedrals have benefitted from the latest awards from the Cathedral Music Trust to support their musical legacies.

The music departments of 12 cathedrals in the UK will be supported to continue and expand their work to keep providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience the life-transforming power of cathedral music, thanks to the Cathedral Music Trust.

Worcester, St Albans, Southwark, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Leicester, Gloucester, Ely, Chichester, Chester, Bristol, Manchester cathedrals and Newport Cathedral from the Church In Wales have all benefited from the latest awards that range from £30,000 to £9,500.

Southwark has been awarded £30,000 to support the salary of the Organist and Assistant Director of Music, Ely receives £9,500 to support singing lessons for choristers, Chichester Cathedral is granted £17,000 to support a vocal health and coaching programme for its choristers and Lay Vicars, and Sheffield was granted £30,000 to support its Cathedral Voices after-school choral music education programme.

Financial support provided by the Edington Festival contributes towards the award to Chester Cathedral worth £16,500 to support fortnightly singing lessons for choristers, CPD opportunities for staff and to launch a cambiata choir (including the Edington Music Festival Award).

Jonathan Mayes, CEO, Cathedral Music Trust said, “The invaluable work of our cathedral and church musicians enriches the lives of both participants and the communities in which they operate.

‘At a time when the sector faces numerous financial challenges, this much-needed investment demonstrates Cathedral Music Trust’s dedication to securing the future of our world-renowned tradition.”

Canon Precentor, Kathryn Fleming at Southwark Cathedral, said,

“We’re incredibly excited at this generous award, which will enable us to make some of our dreams real and help sustain the life of the music department in a context which, in the absence of cathedral admission charges or an independent feeder school, can sometimes feel fragile. Singing for joy!”

Tom Coxhead at Newport Cathedral, said,

“We are grateful to receive the support of the Cathedral Music Trust which will contribute to the development of our choristers and newly-established youth choir. 

This grant is an investment in our young people as well as our outreach and recruitment work in Newport.”

Cathedral Music Trust is a national charity which supports the work of  musicians who enrich so many lives through the power of cathedral music. Founded  in 1956 (as the charity Friends of Cathedral Music), it seeks innovative and sector-leading ways to support high quality musicianship in cathedrals and churches through programmes, training, advocacy and research.

You can read about all the awards here.