On Saturday evening, pupils, staff, alumni, and friends of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation filled Durham Cathedral for a magnificent night of choral music to support the North East’s young people through means-tested bursaries at the Foundation.
As the lights dimmed to full darkness, multiple choirs positioned around the Cathedral performed Richard Lloyd’s magnificent Drop Down Ye Heavens. Also known as the Advent Prose this piece was written for the Cathedral during Lloyd’s tenure as Master of the Choristers and Cathedral Organist nearly 50 years ago. Although Richard is no longer with us, the inclusion of his work captured one of the concert’s key themes — the generations of musicians nurtured as cathedral choristers and developed at Durham School, contributing to a rich tradition of musical excellence.
The programme continued with two works by Old Dunelmian composer Will Todd (L, 1981-88) , who conducted both pieces. The first, The Call of Wisdom, is linked to the Cathedral through its co-writer, Vice Dean Michael Hampel. The second, In This Place, was composed by Todd to celebrate Durham School’s 600th anniversary in 2014. With lyrics that reflect the transformational nature of education, this was very much in tune with the purposes of the concert.
The main body of the concert was Handel’s Messiah, perhaps the most beloved choral work in the English language. This piece holds special significance for generations of Old Dunelmians, who performed it as pupils in either February 1981 in the School Chapel, or in February 1994 in the Cathedral. Now, decades later, veterans of these performances joined the current Durham School Chapel Choir and Durham Cathedral Choir for a spectacular performance led by eight different conductors. These included four Directors of Music from Durham School — Nick Gleed (1984-90), Jonathan Newell (1990-94), Roger Muttitt (1994-2024), and current Director Simon Bowler. Alongside them were two former pupils, Old Dunelmians Ralph Woodward (L, 1985-90) and Claire Alsop (Pim, 1992-94). Completing the conducting line-up were two Masters of the Choristers and Cathedral Organists, Dr James Lancelot (1985-2017) and Daniel Cook (2017-present).
The Foundation Alumni Orchestra, formed of pupils, parents, staff and other friends of the Foundation was led by parent and violin teacher Clare Newitt. The concert was very much a family affair - with Clare’s husband Simon also performing in the orchestra, and their two sons (one current and one former chorister) taking part in the choir. Key backstage roles were filled by stage managers James Mackie (C, 1986-92), Peter Lotts (S, 2010-15), and film director Max Pugh (L, 1987-94).
Concert Director Chris Elliott (CS 1984-88 C, 1988-93), himself a former Head Chorister, coordinated this remarkable gathering of the Foundation’s musical alumni and friends. The evening featured four outstanding soloists: Alexander Armstrong (S,1983-88), Chris Elliott (CS 1984-88 C, 1988-93), Zoe Jackson (CS, 2009-11), and Heather Jill Burns. They were supported by Durham Cathedral Choir, Durham School Chapel Choir, and the DCSF Alumni Choir and Orchestra, bringing Old Dunelmians from around the world back to perform amongst the Cathedral’s “mixed and massive piles.”
Alexander Armstrong wrote in his programme notes “What a spectacular idea and purpose for a concert this is and what a great honour it is to be a part of it. It is wonderful that so many of us are gathering together this evening to help support something that is so very close to many of our hearts: to safeguard for future generations of Durham choristers the extraordinary privilege of learning and singing in this beautiful, ancient cathedral.”
With donations still coming in, it is clear the concert has raised a significant sum to support bursaries for choristers continuing their musical and academic education at the Foundation. Every penny will be used to provide these means-tested bursaries to some of the Foundation’s most talented pupils. If you would like to add your support, please visit https://link.dcsf.org.uk/HMBursaries.
At the end of the concert, Chris Elliott gave an impassioned address on the importance of supporting the Foundation’s strong musical tradition, and how the bursary fund launched by tonight’s concert is the next step in ensuring this rich heritage continues long into the future. He observed, “One of the key motivations for this evening is, in celebrating the past fifty years of musical excellence, we can secure and enhance the next fifty by launching a bursary fund to help Durham’s cathedral choristers, regardless of their background, to continue to develop their gifts in an expert environment - for the betterment of themselves, their fellow-pupils and the wider community.”
The event was a triumph thanks to the generosity of the many Old Dunelmians and other members of the Foundation community, including Alexander Armstrong, who gave their time, talents and energy for free.
We hope to produce a recording of the event to enable those who were not present to be able to experience something of the magic of the occasion. More details will be released in due course.
Foundation Principal, Mr Kieran McLaughlin summed up the evening by saying
"Saturday’s Messiah concert was a truly extraordinary celebration of the musical heritage and future of Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation. It was inspiring to witness generations of pupils, Old Dunelmians, staff, and friends come together to perform such a magnificent programme in the awe-inspiring setting of Durham Cathedral. My heartfelt thanks go to all the performers, conductors, organisers, and supporters who made this unforgettable evening possible. The funds raised will have a profound impact, helping to provide life-changing bursaries for talented young choristers. This event was a shining example of the strength and generosity of our wonderful DCSF community."
Photos by Mark Wilkinson Photography (https://markwilkinsonphotography.smugmug.com/DurhamSchool) , Lucy Y13 and members of DCSF staff.
