Milestone anniversary for Southwark Cathedral Girls’ Choir

Southwark Cathedral will celebrate the founding of its Girls’ Choir – the first cathedral in London to do so – almost 25 years to the day since they sang their first Evensong – with a special gala concert, ‘Gloria!’.

Milestone anniversary for Southwark Cathedral Girls’ Choir

The Girls’ Choir and Cathedral Lay Clerks will be joined by harpist Keziah Thomas, Connaught Brass and percussionists Ryan Hepburn and Keith Price. The programme features John Rutter’s uplifting ‘Gloria’, Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Chichester Psalms’ and smaller pieces by contemporary composers Judith Bingham, Philip Moore and Nico Muhly.

Simon Hogan, Acting Director of Music, said:

“We’re delighted to be marking 25 years since the founding of our wonderful girls’ choir. 

‘Our celebratory concert will feature top musicians from across London performing alongside our Girls Choir, with a programme including two iconic pieces – John Rutter’s Gloria, and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. 

‘Both works are new to the choir, and the girls have had such fun learning them, particularly getting to grips with the Hebrew text of the Bernstein and the energetic rhythms of the Rutter. Putting it together with brass, organ, harp and percussion will be a real joy for all involved, and I know the results will sound phenomenal!”

Southwark Cathedral’s Precentor, Canon Kathryn Fleming said:

“Southwark broke the mould at the Millennium, as the first London Cathedral to establish a Girls’ Choir. We are especially excited that in this year of their Silver Jubilee we are leading the way again, as Helen Smee joins us as Director of Music, – another first for London’s Cathedrals. The Silver Jubilee Concert on 11 July will showcase a remarkable achievement, which we must never take for granted. We are so proud of ALL our choristers – girls and boys alike – and committed to welcoming children into the wonderful tradition of cathedral music which has the power to change lives.”

The concert will take place on Friday 11 July and the celebrations continue on Saturday 12 July as the Cathedral hosts an Old Choristers Association event welcoming back former choristers for a special service of Evensong at 4pm.

Former Southwark musicians Stephen Disley and Peter Wright will be sharing the conducting of the service.

Income generated from ticket sales for the Girls’ Choir’s Anniversary Concert will help support the Cathedral Music department with its continuing musical education and outreach.

Book here for the Girl Choristers’ 25th Anniversary Concert.