06.10.2016
Sandford and St Philip’s Launch Choral Scholars Scheme
A new programme which gives second level music students an opportunity to take part in choral singing and enriches the musical and liturgical life of the parish has been officially launched in Sandford and St Philip’s. The Sandford and St Philip’s Choral Scholars scheme was launched at the Harvest Services in both churches on Sunday last (October 2). Archbishop Michael Jackson presided and preached at the services and paid tribute to all who had made the scheme possible.
The Sandford and St Philip’s Choral Scholars scheme was established in January 2016 to provide music students of secondary–school age with an opportunity to participate in liturgical choral singing at a high level, supported by tuition in singing and music theory. As well as providing a unique educational opportunity, the Choral Scholars enrich the musical and liturgical life of the parish, and so build upon the parish’s strong musical traditions.
Since the scheme was established, the Choral Scholars have sung at a number of services and events. They have sung the office of Choral Evensong on several occasions and also led the singing at the parish confirmation service, the St Patrick’s Day service of Holy Communion, singing music as Gaeilge by Seán Ó Riada, as well as joining with the parish choir for a special service to commemorate the 190th anniversary of Sandford Church.
The choir is directed by David O’Shea (Organist at Sandford and St Philip’s) and tuition in singing and musicianship is provided by Dr Rachel Talbot, a well–known professional choral singer and soloist.
In his sermon the Archbishop said that at this time we give thanks for harvest in its many forms: the harvest of food and water; the harvest of love and cherishing; the harvest of duty and creativity; the harvest of survival in adversity; the harvest of the love of God in the life of the world. He added that there was also the harvest of music and song and pointed out that music played a central role in Sandford and St Philip’s.
“Today we make thanksgiving for another harvest about to unfold in new ways in this parish and church. It is the harvest of music and song. Even a cursory glance at a daily newspaper shows us that music is alive and thriving and sustained in each of Sandford Parish Church and St Philip’s Milltown. Not only is there a parish choir and two clergy who are musically interested, competent and versatile; there are regular recitals and performances in the church and concerts aplenty.
“These enable those for whom either church is their regular place of worship to enjoy their parish church in a new and exciting way. They also enable others who may never have been here to enjoy these beautiful buildings for the first time as places of beauty, culture and music. All of this is good and all of this works in a variety of directions. It seems an appropriate next step therefore to move to appointing Choral Scholars to develop and enrich musical life here. And surely the thanks of everyone go to all those who have made this possible by their generosity and foresight,” he said.
Photo caption: Sandford and St Philip’s Choral Scholars with Archbishop Michael Jackson, the Revd Sonia Gyles, David O’Shea and Dr Rachel Talbot.