Outreach
In 2003 the cathedral started a major new outreach initiative, to share its musical resources with local schools, in partnership with Hereford Cathedral School.
Once a term the cathedral holds a singing workshop directed by the project's co-ordinator, Martyn Lane. On each occasion, over 100 children from four or five different primary schools spend the day rehearsing and performing works like Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The cathedral choristers also give a short concert and there is a demonstration of the cathedral organ, with a live video link to the organ loft.
As part of the preparation for these workshops Martyn Lane visits each school on several occasions during the preceding weeks to work with the pupils on the music they’re preparing, accompanied for one visit by a group of the cathedral choristers with their director, Geraint Bowen.
By autumn 2009 19 workshops and concerts had been held in the cathedral, involving nearly 3000 Herefordshire children from some over 75% of the authority’s 80 primary schools.
The second strand of the initiative was also launched in 2003 with the formation of the Hereford Junior Singing Club. This choir meets on Saturday mornings during term time from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at Hereford Cathedral School and works with Martyn Lane and vocal coach Jo Williamson. Since its first public performance in December 2003 it has taken part in many concerts in the cathedral and further afield in the county, including the cathedral choir’s performances of Bach’s St Matthew Passion.
The scheme is supported financially by the Government under its Sing Up! programme, part of its Music Manifesto, designed to make singing a vibrant part of every school in the country.
For further information, please contact Martyn Lane
Outreach Project Co-ordinator
01531 670337