Programme will include:

MAURICE DURUFLE – Requiem

Brynne McLeod – mezzo soprano
…James Birchall – baritone
Geoff Woollatt – organ
Michael Bawtree – conductor

Performed by members of Glasgow Chamber Choir, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, RSCM Scottish Voices, Edinburgh Singers, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir (Glasgow), St Mary’s Cathedral (Edinburgh) and Edinburgh Royal Choral Union

Also featuring tenor Stephen Chambers and trumpeter Bede Williams, New Zealanders based at the RSAMD in Glasgow. They will perform music by HANDEL, BRITTEN and traditional New Zealand folk songs. Soprano Rachel Hynes will also perform.

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Christchurch in New Zealand has been at the top of the news since Tuesday morning for all the wrong reasons. An earthquake has caused death and destruction across New Zealand’s second largest city. The Prime Minister has described it as New Zealand’s darkest hour, and it is almost certainly the country’s worst single natural and national disaster.

Scotland, and the whole UK, has very strong links with New Zealand. Many of us have friends and family living and working there; many of us have visited, lived and worked in New Zealand; others simply appreciate New Zealand for its natural beauty, its cuisine and its sport.

The most emblematic building in Christchurch, its Cathedral, has been terribly damaged. News reports today suggest that 20 people are still missing in the building after its tower collapsed.

Christchurch Cathedral is the ‘twin’ of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, having been built by the same architect at almost exactly the same time. We hope our performance of Durufle’s Requiem will help provide support to those in need in New Zealand.

Funds raised at this benefit concert will be passed through official channels to those most in need.

If you are unable to attend and would like to donate to the recovery effort, the Red Cross is channelling funds to New Zealand: http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/New-Zealand-Earthquake-Appeal

Cedric will take up his post at the beginning of December and will be coming to Glasgow from the city of Derby where he has been part of the team at Derby Cathedral and a Minister in Secular Employment, working as an Emergency Planning Officer with Derbyshire County Council.

On announcing the new appointment, the Provost, the Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said, “I am delighted to announce this appointment. I want to thank all those members of the congregation who have helped to make this come about, particularly through those who responded so positively to the increased giving appeal earlier this year. My thanks also go to Vestry members who have given advice and support throughout the process and especially to those
who helped with interviewing. Thanks are also due to the Bishop and the Diocese for considerable support, including particularly the provision of a Diocesan house in Scotstoun where Cedric will live.

Cedric has sent a message to members of the congregation, and introduces himself in his own words here.