Press Release
1/11/2023 - For immediate release
Durham Choral Society and Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation are delighted to announce a new joint venture.
Durham Choral Society are taking a break this week for half term having just finished their first session of rehearsals in the historic surroundings of Durham School, part of the Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation.
The season’s concerts will include:
Christmas with Will Todd*
The Mozart Mass in C Minor and Mozart Piano Concerto No 21
The Schubert Mass in G and the Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass
As Principal of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, Mr Kieran McLaughlin, said, “Choral Music is part of the DNA of the Foundation. Participation in music, whether as a Cathedral Chorister or as part of a school or house choir, fosters unity, artistic expression and in many cases a lifelong passion. Hosting Durham Choral Society's rehearsals is a privilege and enriches our wider community by supporting a shared commitment to Choral Music."
Durham Choral Society Chair, Mrs Val Wooff, said, “We are delighted to be welcomed so warmly by Durham School and we look forward to a rewarding partnership. We hope that there will be mutual benefit from our presence in the school and that students and parents alike will join us for our performances both as singers and/or audience”.
Durham Choral Society Musical Director, Mr Mike Summers added, “This is a new exciting venture for the Choral Society and we are thrilled to be rehearsing in a school which enjoys such a rich cultural and musical history”.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Christmas with Will Todd* - performance date 16th December 2023
The Mozart Mass in C Minor - performance date 20th January 2024
The Schubert Mass in G and the Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass - performance date 18th May 2024.
Durham School was created by Thomas Langley, Bishop of Durham, who reorganised the Cathedral’s schools in 1414, creating a school of song and a school of grammar. In 1541 it received its royal charter from Henry VIII. For much of its history, the school used various buildings next to the Cathedral on Palace Green, moving to its current site over the River Wear from the Cathedral in 1844. In 2021, Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation was created from the merger of Durham School, Bow- Durham School and The Chorister School. The Foundation now provides up to 48 choristers (both boys and girls, aged 7-13) to the Cathedral. 1 in 7 pupils are supported by means-tested bursaries.
Durham Choral Society was founded in 1962. It is the largest non-auditioned mixed voice choir in the North East of England and is dedicated to celebrating the joy of great choral singing within the North East of England, enriching the lives of our singers and the community. It performs two major concerts a year in the glorious setting of Durham Cathedral.
*Will Todd is a local musician and composer. Todd was born in County Durham and attended Durham School. He is President of Durham Choral Society.
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