Composer Matthew Coleridge will lead a ‘Come and Sing’ event – at Bradford Cathedral on Palm Sunday (24th March 2024) – of his Requiem, which appeared in the Classic FM Hall of Fame’s top 100 2023.
You are invited to join composer Matthew Coleridge and the Bradford Cathedral Choir for a ‘Come and Sing Requiem for Palm Sunday’.
Taking place from 1:30pm – 4:30pm on Sunday 24th March 2024, the ‘Come and Sing’ event will include a workshop where participants will learn to sing Coleridge’s ‘Requiem’, which was voted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame’s top 100 in 2023 – making him the second youngest composer on the list, and 10th highest living composer overall.
The piece will then be performed at a special Palm Sunday evening service – at 5pm – co-directed by Matthew and the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Graham Thorpe.
Matthew Coleridge, composer, says:
“This is something I’ve been doing for about 3 years now. Singers come and spend the day learning the Requiem before I conduct them in a concert performance in the evening.
“It’s quite a thrilling way to learn a piece of music, but you feel the excitement and confidence growing throughout the day, and by the end of the evening concert everyone’s exhilarated.
“It started out quite modestly, but word seems to have caught on now so you can usually expect getting on for 200 singers in the choir, so it’s a really fabulous sing.
“I’m excited to be coming to Bradford Cathedral. I think it’s quite special to have a composer teaching you their own music – you get some unique insights into how the music came to be.
“You’ll also be amazed by how much we get done in such a short space of time. And of course you’ll get to sing alongside the cathedral choir in a memorable performance.”
Anthony Gray, Bradford Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music, says:
“We’re delighted to be welcoming Matthew Coleridge to Bradford Cathedral to lead this year’s Palm Sunday Come and Sing alongside the music staff.
“Matthew’s Requiem is a powerful and evocative setting, employing the full breadth of musical abilities of a choir, organ, soloists and cello (for which we’ll be joined by Skipton Camerata’s Doug Badger).
“Having welcomed Matthew to St Wilfrid, Harrogate in 2022, I know what a powerful, moving and fulfilling day this will be for all involved, and we’re hugely looking forward to it being an excellent start to Holy Week 2024. Do sign up and join us!”
The ‘Come and Sing Requiem takes places at Bradford Cathedral on Palm Sunday – the 24th March 2024. For those looking to sing, the session takes place from 1:30pm – 4:30pm (with registration from 1pm, and refreshments and the scores are included) with tickets £10 (+ booking fee) available from coleridge-requiem.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling the Bradford Cathedral office on 01274 77 77 20 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 2:45pm)
All are also welcome to the liturgical performance on the same day at 5pm. Entry is free and places can be booked at bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/pu2wa9tw or on the phone number above.
You can also read a Q&A with Matthew at https://bradfordcathedral.org.uk/2024/02/06/matthew-coleridge-qanda/