Cathedral Choir to tour USA
Christ Church Cathedral Choir will take its 500th anniversary celebrations to the United States this autumn.
The choir will perform in celebrated musical and sacred spaces during its visit from 25 September - 4 October. A concert at St Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis launches the tour, followed by performances at Washington National Cathedral, Princeton's University Chapel and St Paul's Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and culminating in a concert in New York's Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.
The programmes span five centuries of music at Christ Church, ranging from John Taverner, the college’s first Organist and Director of Music, to a newly commissioned cantata by internationally acclaimed Composer in Residence, Nico Muhly.
Muhly’s The Shadow of the Sun explores how poetry, art and stained glass can act as an interface between the visible world and the divine. The work sets texts including an anonymous 17th century poem in praise of the stained glass in Christ Church Cathedral, as well as the hymns of Charles Wesley and the poetry of George Herbert.
“We’re delighted to be bringing the choral tradition of Christ Church to the East Coast of America,” said Peter Holder, Organist and Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
“This has been a memorable year of celebration for the choir. Sharing 500 years of music with new audiences and the US Christ Church community promises to be a fitting conclusion.”
Christ Church Cathedral Choir was established by Thomas Wolsey in 1526 as the choir of Cardinal College. In 1545 it was incorporated by King Henry VIII into Christ Church, a new dual foundation of Anglican Cathedral and Oxford University College. The choir has sung for daily worship at the Cathedral ever since, also becoming known in more recent decades for concert performances, recordings and tours.
All are warmly invited to join us during the tour. Christ Church alumni might also wish to attend one of several reunion events taking place during our visit. If you have not received any information about these, please email development.office@chch.ox.ac.uk.
Tour Dates
Friday 25 September, 7.30 pm
Recital at St Mark’s Cathedral, Minneapolis
Tickets
Sunday 27 September, 4pm
Evensong at Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC
Free Admission
Livestream (9 PM UK time)
Tuesday 29 September, 7.30 pm
Concert at St Paul’s Church, Harvard Square, Cambridge
Tickets
Thursday 1 October, 7.30pm
Concert at Princeton University Chapel, Princeton
Free Admission
Sunday 4 October, 7.30pm
Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York
Tickets
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