'Come and Sing': The Transformative Power of Singing Together

By Peter Watts, Director of Choirs at Holy Trinity Cathedral

We are now in our third year of offering Come and Sing! Evensong at Holy Trinity Cathedral and, in that time, the Cathedral has hosted four such events as well as Come & Sing Stainer’s Crucifixions for two successive Holy Weeks.

At our most recent Come and Sing! event, it was a joy to see a group of over 80 people working together to enjoy the glorious Anglican music tradition. To some, services of this kind are an anachronism in our 21st century world of speed and relevance, but for others, Choral Evensong provides a still and sacred moment of reflection, as we contemplate those things beyond our comprehension, but which are still feel very real to us.

Overspilling choir stalls at the most recent Come and Sing! Choral Evensong event.

It is not for nothing that the Creation stories from the book of Genesis have God “breathing” life into his creation, making Adam a living being. As we stand together and breathe together in a choir we understand something of the importance of breath and of sharing space with others. The results are often transformative. Choir singing is certainly one of those times when the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. A group of singers whose voices individually may be of varying quality, has the ability and potential to realise something amazing in an ensemble.

It is a real privilege for me to be able to encourage, cajole and teach an assorted group, who do not usually sing together, to blend voices to create beautiful harmony. The Holy Trinity Cathedral Chancel provides the perfect setting for this with its warm and supportive acoustic that enables the voices to soar and fill the space. The Cathedral organ, so beautifully played by Dr Philip Smith, adds wonderful colour to the sound of the choir, and encouragement to the singers which enables further elevation of the music in front of us.

In the UK at the moment there is a marked resurgence of interest in the evensong service with many Cathedrals reporting increased attendance, as people come to appreciate the value of dignified liturgy and great music, which together create a transcendent experience. I hope that trend finds its way here, as we endeavour to enrich people’s experience of things spiritual with our Evensong services.

If you would like to be a part of our next Come and Sing experience, as a singer or listener, you can find out more below:

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Peter Watts

Director of Choirs

Holy Trinity Cathedral