Benefice Choir
The Benefice Choir sings for services at the main festivals throughout the church year. We are also available to sing for weddings. If anyone is interested in joining the Choir, please speak to Geoff after the service. We usually rehearse on Mondays from 6.45.
PETERBOROUGH DIOCESAN CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016
Our choir, along with friends from another choir, took part in this annual event on 15th October. This service of Choral Evensong, with the music led by choirs from around the diocese who have rehearsed the music for this special service, is one of the main services of the year in the Cathedral. This year’s music was more straightforward than we could have hoped for (with one exception!) We worked hard to master the music, which this year included “Zadok the Priest”. As the weeks progressed the music took shape, and this year we had the music so early that we were able to take the practices at a rather more leisurely pace.
The day of the Festival arrived and we duly met at either Brafield or Cogenhoe Village Hall for the coach. The coach was from a different company to the one we have used previously. Dudley, the driver, was most cheerful from the moment we met, and put us all at our ease. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
The rehearsal started at 2pm and the Director of Music, Steven Grahl, set us to work on the first hymn to warm up the voices. He was very impressed with all the hard work that had been done in the parishes, pointing out that our work had made his job so much easier. The rehearsal ended early so we were able to partake of refreshments early. The service started at 5.30 and was finished by 7pm, it really seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
A wonderful day was had by all, and we were particularly blessed with fine weather, except on the way home. We had a greatly reduced choir this year, as our friends from the other choir didn’t appear to be taking part this year due to illness. Everyone seemed to enjoy this year’s event, and Steven Grahl has promised that he will try to make the music more accessible for next year.
This is a good opportunity to say a big thank you to all of the choir for their very hard work in making the Festival such a success, and to the supporters who came along to take part in the service with us.
In the New Year I will be taking preliminary details for anyone who would like to come along to support the choir at next year’s Festival, which will be held on Saturday 14th October 2017. Supporters have the opportunity to do a spot of shopping, have some lunch, or sit in the Cathedral and listen to the rehearsal. The cost of the coach this year was £16. If you would like to join us, please e-mail your details to geoff.best@theunitedbenefice.org.uk, or you can catch me after Cogenhoe or Brafield services.
Geoff Best