Southwark Cathedral Merbecke Choir

= Introduction =

The Southwark Cathedral Merbecke Choir was established in late 2003 [ [http://www.southwark.anglican.org/bridge/0310/0310p9.pdf The Bridge October 2003] ] to provide a choir for ex-cathedral choristers (boys and girls) to continue singing. It also comprises other young singers - often ex-choral scholars from university college choirs and student singers based in London. All are under 25 years of age.

The Merbecke Choir is the only amateur chamber choir attached to a London cathedral.

The choir is named after John Merbecke. An English theological writer and musician, known for producing the setting of the Eucharist used in the Book of Common Prayer. He was tried and convicted of heresy in the Retrochoir of Southwark Cathedral in 1543 but received a pardon owing to the intervention of Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester.

Role at Southwark Cathedral

The Merbecke Choir is part of the Music Department at Southwark Cathedral. During term time, it sings all the services of Compline and Eucharistic Devotions [ [http://www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral/settings.htm Southwark Cathedral Music List] ] . Additionally, it sings evensong, when requested, a number of special services and three concerts each year - Christmas, Passiontide and Summer.

In December 2006, the Merbecke Choir was broadcast worldwide performing a setting of "Ding Dong Merrily On High" as the finale to the Queen's Christmas speech [ [http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2507 Southwark stars in Queen's broadcast] ] .

Choir Director

Huw Morgan is the current director of the choir. He combines the post with that of Director of Music at St Laurence's Church, Catford. Formerly, he was Director of Music at All Saints, Blackheath. [ [http://www.stlaurencecatford.blogspot.com St Laurence's Blog - 1 September entry] ]

The founding director was Ian Keatley, then organ scholar of Southwark Cathedral. He was succeeded by David Pipe [ [http://www.yorkminster.org/worship/music/the-organists/ York Minster - The Organists] ] in 2006, who left the post in 2008 to take up the position of Assistant to the Director of Music at York Minster in September 2008.

Repertoire

The choir's staple repertoire is early European liturgical music. However, for concerts, the music list is typical expanded to cover more modern compositions - recently including a composition by Huw Morgan "The Word of the Cross".

References