Music Education
In 2003 the cathedral started a major new education 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 up to five different primary schools spend the day rehearsing and performing songs, both separately and all together as a grand finale. The cathedral choristers also take part 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 spring 2011, 25 workshops and concerts had been held in the cathedral, involving nearly 4000 Herefordshire children from over 70 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 twenty-fifth workshop took place at the cathedral on Thursday 24 March 2011, at which children from three primary schools, St James, Walford and Wellington, took part.
For further information, please contact Martyn Lane
Outreach Project Co-ordinator
01531 670337