The Australian National Choral association, St Mary’s Cathedral and the Royal School of Church Music organised a workshop with Prof Darlington. The workshop was attended by 60 participants, between the ages of 10 to 70. Photo: Jacinta Jakovcevic.
By Amanda Murthy
Perth choristers of all ages gathered at the St Mary’s Cathedral Church last weekend for a rare opportunity to meet and attend a workshop led by one of Britain’s renowned experts on English Renaissance music, Professor Dr Stephen Darlington.
The three-hour workshop, held on 6 October, was a collaborative effort by the Australian National Choral association (ANCA), St Mary’s Cathedral, and the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) – 60 participants between the ages of 10 to 70 attended it.
Prof Darlington’s credentials extends to more than 30 years as Director of Music at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral, years of working closely with the composer Howard Goodall, and his choir featured in the title music to The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean.
He has helped establish the Christ Church Cathedral Music Trust, which funds scholarships to choristers in his home country.
He was recently awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music and appointed as a Lay Canon of the Oxford Christ Church.
UK leading Choral Conductor Prof Dr Stephen Darlington held a three-hour workshop at St Mary’s Cathedral on 6 October as part of his Australia trip. He will visit Sydney and Melbourne as well. Photo: Jacinta Jakovcevic.
St Mary’s Cathedral Music Director Jacinta Jakovcevic said the workshop was a success, and the choristers were blessed to have such a distinguished guest to share his knowledge in choral music of the 16th century and of modern sacred music.
“It was wonderful to see a mix of young choristers, university students, recent graduates, experienced singers, and choral conductors take part,” she said.
“For us to extend our hospitality, by hosting this event here at the Cathedral, puts us in direct contact with members of other Christian denominations.”
Participant Roderick Allen, of St Edmund’s Anglican Church Wembley, said he thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.
“Just wonderful,” he summarised. “We are very lucky to have such a distinguished conductor visit us.”
Another participant, Michael Mah from Mandurah Choral Society, complimented the Cathedral’s acoustics.
“It was such a unique experience and I loved being able to see so much talent in the room, and to be able to sing with these acoustics was just lovely.”
The Sydney Conservatorium High School choristers spent a day at the St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 29 September learning about liturgical music. Photo: Jacinta Jakovcevic.
Ms Jakovcevic added that the Cathedral had welcomed another special guest on the weekend prior.
On 29 September, students from the Sydney Conservatorium High School, accompanied by their Principal Dr Robert Curry, spent the day at the Cathedral.
The choristers were introduced to liturgical music, and were given the opportunity to sing at the 6pm Vigil Mass that day.
“Having participants who are from other denominations visit the Cathedral serves as a great way to connect the Catholic Church to the wider community,” Ms Jakovcevic said.
“Collaborating with distinguished organisations such as the RSCM [which is a global network] and the ANCA [a national organisation] is truly a wonderful way to connect with one another through the powerful medium that is music,” she concluded.