Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all!

The link is to the photographs taken from this year's Triduum in Leeds. The music is ourselves (of course!) recorded at at service in Stow Minster, 5 years ago. You may need to copy and past the URLs into your own browser before they work.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24855617@N05/albums/72157666287840282

https://youtu.be/kyGAdVr3nEQ

What we've achieved so far...

As it's our 20th anniversary year, I thought some readers might just be interested in seeing exactly what we've done up to now and where.

So, starting with what was supposed to be a one-off occasion up to the present day, here goes!

(Events marked by an an asterisk* were with the Schola only, not the full choir.)

1996

15th June. Church of the Immaculate Conception & St John of Beverley.
Missa Cantata. Chant proper, Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli & motets
Vespers & Benediction

16th November, Leeds Cathedral
Sung Requiem. Victoria à 6

1997

22nd March, St Peter's Church, Belle Isle, Leeds
Vespers and Benediction

15th August,  Leeds Cathedral
Mass for the Feast of the Assumption.
Chant proper, Palestrina, Missa Assumpta est Maria

1998

31st October, Holy Family Church, Pontefract
Mass on the eve of All Saints' Day
Victoria. Missa O Quam Gloriosum. Stanford, Justorum Animae.

1999

20th March, Church of St John the Baptist, Normanton
Missa Cantata (Eve of Passion Sunday)
Seiber, Missa Brevis & Bruckner motets

9th July. Brinkburn Priory
Missa Cantata
Palestrina, Missa Brevis. Motets by Victoria & Byrd

6th November. Church of SS Mary & Everilda, Everingham.
Sung Requiem. Victoria à 6

2000

18th March. Holy Family Church, Pontefract
Solemn Mass. Ember week in Lent
Monteverdi, Messe a quattro voci. Motets by Victoria, Tallis & Palestrina

30th June. Sacred Heart Chapel, Broughton Hall, Skipton.
Feast of the Sacred Heart. Missa Cantata.
Palestrina, Missa Brevis & motets by Viadana and Victoria.

15th July. Church of St Columba, Bradford
Missa Cantata & Benediction. Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Byrd. Mass for four voices. Motets by Byrd, Bruckner & Allegri

9th September. Brinkburn Priory.
Solemn High Mass of Our Lady
Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli. Motets by Guerrero & Monteverdi

29th September. Church of SS Mary & Everilda, Everingham
Missa Cantata commemorating the Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy of England & Wales
Chant proper, Missa de angelis & motets by Richard Dering

18th November. Church of St Charles, Attercliffe, Sheffield.
Solemn Requiem. Anerio Requiem

2001

18th March. Church of St Joseph, Pickering.
First Vespers of St Joseph & Benediction.

1st July 2001. Church of St Charles, Attercliffe, Sheffield
Solemn Mass & Benediction. Feast of the Most Precious Blood.
Haydn, Little Organ Mass. Motets by Anerio, Mozart, Elgar & Allegri

21st July, St Joseph's Church, Bradford
Solemn Mass. Feast of St Laurence of Brundesi
Victoria, Missa O Quam Gloriosum & motets by Bruckner, Scarlatti & Byrd

27th July, Church of SS Mary & Everilda, Everingham
Ferial Sung Mass.

25th November. All Saints' Church, North Street, York
Pontifical Mass for the Feast of Christ the King
Palestrina, Missa Assumpta est Maris & motets by Victoria & Grancini

22nd December. Church of Our Lady, Acomb, York.
Service of Readings and Carols & Benediction.

2002

2nd February. Church of St Andrew, Bolton-on-Dearne
Mass (English Missal) for Candlemas
Missa de angelis & motets by Byrd & Victoria

30th March, Church of All Saints, North Street, York*
Holy Week 2002. Easter Vigil Service.

20th April, All Saints' North Street, York
The Pre-Reformation Mass. Requiem according to the Use of York.

27th July. Church of St. Andrew, Bolton-on-Dearne
Traditional English Missal Mass of Our Lady
Missa de angelis & motets by Kodaly & Dering

15th September. Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Solemn Mass. 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Monteverdi, Messa a quattro voci. Motets by Stanford & Byrd

2nd November, Church of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Sheffield
Solemn Requiem. Victoria à 4

6th December. The Norman Chapel of St Nicholas in Pickering Castle
Traditional Carol Service (Feast of St Nicholas)

2003

22nd February. Church of St Joseph, Scarborough
Feast of the Chair of St Peter
Scarlatti, Missa Quatuor Vocum & motets by Palestrina & Rivafrecha

3rd May, Church of St Paulinus, York.
Mass for 2nd Sunday after Easter
Missa de angelis & motets by Mozart, Pitoni & Soriano

17th May, Byland Abbey
Mass for the Walsingham Association

7th June, Church of St Norbert, Crowle, Lincolnshire
Solemn Mass. Vigil of Pentecost
Palestrina, Missa Brevis. Motets by Aichinger, Palestrina & Soriano

8th June. St Mary's Centre, Middlesbrough*
Missa Cantata for Pentecost

28th September, Church of All Saints, Ryther.
Harvest Festival Service.
Motets by Byrd & Charles Wood

12th October, Greek Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs, Leeds*
Feast of St. Wilfrid. Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

22nd November. Church of St Norbert, Crowle, Lincolnshire
Solemn Mass for the Feast of St Cecilia
Byrd, Mass for five voices. Motets by Bardos, Bruckner & Stanford

30th November. Greek Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs, Leeds*
(In the presence of the Lord Mayor of Leeds)
Feast of St. Andrew. Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

21st December, Church of St Paulinus, York
Traditional Carol Service & Benediction.

2004

25th February, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater
Ash Wednesday. Missa Cantata.
Byrd, Mass for three voices. Motets by Byrd & Lassus

20th March, Church of St Joseph, Pickering
Solemn Mass commemorating the centenary of St Joseph's Parish
Byrd, Mass for three voices, Ave Verum & O Quam Suavis

18th April, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for Low Sunday

16th May, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for the 5th Sunday of Easter.

30th May, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Mass for Pentecost

12th June, All Saints' North Street, York
Medieval Procession and Mass of Corpus Christi

26th June, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
Solemn Nuptial Mass (Francis & Julie Carey)
Mozart, Missa Brevis in D [K.194] Motets by Fauré and Mozart

24th July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
The First Founders' Day Requiem for John & Josephine Bowes

2nd October, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Missa Cantata for the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels
Byrd, Mass for four voices. Motets by Michael Haydn & Casciolini

13th November, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater
Solemn Requiem Mass. Victoria à 4

22nd  December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York.
Traditional Carol Service

2005

19th March, Church of St Joseph, Pickering
Mass for the Feast of St Joseph
Victoria, Mass & motet O Quam Gloriosum

23rd April, St Cuthbert's Church, Wigan
The Solemnity of St George.
Victoria, Missa O Quam Gloriosum & motets O Quam Gloriosum and Pange Lingua

4th May, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Compline (Eve of the Ascension)

4th June, Sheffield (Anglican) Cathedral
Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy for the Feast of SS Constantine and Helen

3rd July, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Compline of Sunday

10th July, Kirkham Priory*
Gregorian Chant Mass

23rd July. St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Founders' Day Requiem

6th August, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Mass for the Feast of the Transfiguration.

17th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn High Mass of the BVM
Byrd Mass for 4 voices & motets by Byrd and Victoria

22nd October, Greek Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs, Leeds*
Pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

22nd December, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater
Traditional Carol Service and Benediction.

2006

25th February, St Joseph's Church, Gateshead
Solemn Nuptial Mass (David & Theresa O'Neill)
Byrd, Mass for three voices & Franc, Panis Angelicus

25th March, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Missa Cantata. Feast of the Annunciation

10th June, Church of SS Mary & Everilda, Everingham
Sung Mass to commemorate our 10th anniversary.
Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli
Motets by Victoria & Tallis and (believed to be) the first catholic liturgical performance of the Solemn York Salve Regina (St. Mary's Abbey) since the Reformation!

22nd July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Founders' Day Requiem

28th October, Greek Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs, Leeds*
Pan-Orthodox Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

4th November, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Solemn Requiem. Lobo à 8

17th December, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for Gaudete Sunday.

20th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2007

21st January, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany.

18th February, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for Quinquagesima Sunday.

11th March, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
First Vespers for the Feast of St Gregory the Great.

18th March, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for Laetare Sunday

15th April, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for Low Sunday.

13th May, Church of SS Mary and Everilda, Everingham
Missa Cantata for the 5th Sunday of Easter
Palestrina, Missa Brevis & motets by Lassus, Schütz and Soriano

20th May, Church of St john the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for the Sunday after Ascension.

9th June, More House Chapel, University of York*
Greek-Catholic Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.

17th June, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Gregorian Chant Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

15th July, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Missa Cantata, 7th Sunday after Pentecost.
Byrd, Mass for three voices

21st July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Founders' Day Requiem

19th August, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata. 12th Sunday after Pentecost

8th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass for the Nativity of the BVM
Byrd Propers from the Gradualia & Byrd Ave Verum

9th September, St Mary's Abbey, York*
Vespers of the BVM
Concluding with the York Salve Regina, believed to be the first time it was sung in the Abbey (ruins) since the Dissolution & Reformation.

16th September, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata. 16th Sunday after Pentecost

13th October, Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Bamford, Derbyshire
Traditional Nuptial Mass

21st October, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

1st November, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Solemn Mass for the Feast of All Saints.

4th November, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

17th November, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Missa Cantata for the Feast of St. Hugh of Lincoln
Victoria, Mass & motet 'O Quam Gloriosum' & Byrd, Sacerdotes Domini

18th November, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Solemn Mass for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost.

2nd December, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for the 1st Sunday of Advent.

16th December, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Mass for Gaudete Sunday.

20th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2008

6th January, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany.

20th January, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for Septuagesmima Sunday.

2nd February, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Solemn Mass for Candlemas.
Byrd Mass for four voices & Propers from the Gradualia

3rd February, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for Quinquagesima Sunday.

16th March, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Mass for Palm Sunday.

20th April, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 4th Sunday after Easter.

3rd May, More House Chapel, University of York*
Byzantine Catholic Liturgy for Pascha in Bright Week.

10th May, Church of St Chad, Manchester
Solemn Mass for the Vigil of Pentecost
Jeff Ostrowski, Missa Summi et Aeterni Sacerdoti (first performance outside the USA)
Motets by Allegri, Tallis, Monteverdi and Soriano

11th May, Tyburn, Knavesmire, York*
Mass for the dignity of human life.

18th May, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

15th June, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost.

23rd June, Trinity & All Saints College, Leeds*
Solemn High Mass for The Nativity of St John the Baptist.

12th July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Annual Founders' Day Requiem

20th July, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost.

15th August, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for the Feast of the Assumption.

17th August, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.

13th September, St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne*
Solemn High Mass in Honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

20th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass in honour of the BVM
Josquin, Messe Ave Maris Stella. Motets by Guerrero & Rivafrecha

21st September, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.

19th October, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost.

25th October, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Solemn Mass in honour of the BVM
Josquin, Messe Ave Maris Stella. Motets by Guerrero & Rivafrecha

16th November, St Mary's Abbey, York*
1. Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

16th November, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
2. Missa Cantata for the 27th Sunday after Pentecost.

18th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

21st December, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 4th Sunday of Advent.

25th December, Church of St John the Evangelist, Allerton Bywater*
Missa Cantata for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Midnight Mass.

2009

20th February, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Choral Vespers of the BVM
Motets by Grandi, Hassler, Lassus & Soriano

21st March, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
First Vespers of Laetare Sunday.

9th April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2009. Mass of the Lord's Supper.

10th April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2009. Commemoration of the Lord's Passion.

11th April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2009. The Easter Vigil.

23rd May, St Marie's Church, Halifax
Missa Cantata. External solemnity of the Ascension.
Moets by Schaller, Croce & Soriano

6th June, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
First Vespers of Trinity Sunday.

19th June, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Second Vespers and Compline Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

27th June, Church of St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough
Mass and Devotions for the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
Palestrina, Missa Veni Sponsa Christi. Motets by Elgar & Croce

18th July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Annual Founders' Day Requiem

21st July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Missa Cantata to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Fr Wilfrid Elkin

16th August, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass, St Laurence Justinian
Lotti, Mass in A minor. Motets by Scarlatti & Dering

7th November, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Solemn Requiem. Victoria à 6, Versa est in luctum.

21st December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York.
Traditional Carol Service

2010

14th February, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Missa Cantata, Quinquagesima Sunday
Lotti, Missa Brevis. Motets by Palestrina & Zwyssig

14th March, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Lotti, Mass in A Minor. Motets by Tallis

15th April, Ushaw College
Solemn Requiem. Victoria à 6

18th April, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Second Sunday after Easter. Missa Cantata.

16th May, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Missa Cantata, External Solemnity of the Ascension
Byrd, Mass for three voices

23rd May, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the Feast of Pentecost.

20th June, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Missa Cantata, 4th Sunday after Pentecost
Christoph Dalitz, Mass in Eb. Motets by Victoria & Elgar

18th July, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata, 8th Sunday after Pentecost

31st July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Annual Founders' Day Requiem

11th September, Brinkburn Priory
Tallis, Mass for four voices. Motets by Monteverdi

14th September, Church of St Charles Borromeo, Hull*
Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

26th September, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.

1st October, Church of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Sheffield*
3rd October, Church of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Sheffield*
Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Parish

17th October, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

2nd November, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Solemn Requiem for the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed. (All Souls) Fauré Requiem.

14th November, Church of the Holy Souls, Scunthorpe
Remembrance Sunday. Solemn Requiem. Victoria à 6. Motet, Versa est in luctum

21st November, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata for the Last Sunday after Pentecost.

19th December, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Canata for the 4th Sunday of Advent.

20th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2011

16th January, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata: Second Sunday after Epiphany.

12th February, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Missa Cantata. Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
Christoph Dalitz, Mass in E Major. Motets by Mozart

20th February, Church of the English Martyrs, York*
Missa Cantata, Septuagesima Sunday

26th March, York Minster
Missa Cantata. Feast of St Margaret Clitherow.
Byrd, Mass for 5 voices and motets Iustorum anime, Ave Verum & Ave Regina Caelorum

26th March, Church of the English Martyrs, York
Benediction (1st Margaret Clitherow Pilgrimage)

21st April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2011. Mass of the Lord's Supper.

22nd April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2011. Commemoration of the Lord's Passion.

23rd April, Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds*
Paschal Triduum 2011. The Easter Vigil.

30th April, Stow Minster
Solemn Sung Eucharist in the Octave of Easter
Palestrina, Missa Brevis. Motets by Furmanik, Bairstow & Soriano

18th June, Church of St Joseph, Scarborough (Our 15th anniversary service!)
Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli. Motets by Aichinger, Tallis & Lotti

9th July, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Gregorian Chant Workshop & Compline

23rd July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
Annual Founders Day Requiem. Victoria à 4

10th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn High Mass
Hassler, Missa Secunda. Motets by Victoria & Pergolesi

29th October, Ampleforth Abbey (in conjunction with other choirs)
Orthodox Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Music by Rachmaninov, Kastalsky, Chesnokov, Arkhangelsky & other Slavonic chants

11th November, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Remembrance Day. Vespers of the Faithful Departed.

19th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2012

21st January, Ampleforth Abbey (with other choirs)
Orthodox Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Music by Rachmaninov, Kastalsky, Chesnokov, Arkhangelsky & other Slavonic chants

11th February, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Open Day with the Rudgate Singers

24th March, Churches of St Wilfrid and the English Martyrs, York

Solemn Mass in honour of St Margaret Clitherow

Benediction

Missa 'Summi et Aeterni Sacerdoti, Jeff Ostrowski.

Motets by Victoria, Scarlatti, Bruckner, De Wael, Gombert, Perosi & Allegri

6th May, Church of St Hilda, Leeds

The May Devotion. Vespers, Procession & Benediction

19th May, York Minster

The 2012 Choirs in the Minster Home-Start Concert

21st May, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*

Orthodox Divine Liturgy for the Feast of SS Constantine and Helen

21st July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
Annual Founders' Day Requiem. Pearsall Requiem (1st liturgical performance!)

8th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass for the Nativity of the BVM
Monteverdi, Messe a quattro voci. Motets by Victoria, Guerrero & Praetorius.

9th September, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York*
Festival Evensong for the Dedication of the New Stations of the Cross.

25th September, Mater Dolorosa Church, Imsterberg, Tirol, Austria*
Votive Mass of the Holy Guardian Angels

26th September, Mater Dolorosa Church, Imsterberg, Tirol, Austria*
Compline

27th September, Mater Dolorosa Church, Imsterberg, Tirol, Austria*
Gregorian Chant Mass

15th December, St Marie's Church, Halifax*
Solemn High Mass for the Silver Jubilee of Mgr. David Smith (our first ever celebrant)

21st December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2013

12th April, Ratcliffe College, Leicester
Solemn Requiem Mass. Victoria à 4

4th May, Churches of St Wilfrid & the English Martyrs, York.
Solemn Mass in honour of St Margaret Clitherow
Victoria, Missa Simile est Regnum. Motets by Bardos, Croce, Webbe & Allegri

29th June, Bar Convent Chapel, York*
Sung Mass for the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Richard Aladics

20th July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle*
Annual Founders' Day Requiem

14th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Byrd, Mass for four voices. Motets by King John IV of Portugal, & Felice Anerio

12th October, Church of St Augustine, Darlington
Missa Cantata. Feast of St Wilfrid
Victoria Missa 'O Quam Gloriosum' & motets, Ecce Sacerdos Magnus & O Quam Gloriosum

20th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2014

29th March, Church of St Wilfrid, York
Solemn Mass & Benediction (St Margaret Clitherow Pilgrimage)
Mozart Missa Brevis in D minor. Motets by Byrd, Pergolesi, Peter Phillips, Fresi, Perosi & Siniawski

23rd July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
Annual Founders' Day Requiem. Victoria à 4

6th September, Brinkburn Priory
Solemn Mass of the BVM.

20th November, Markenfield Hall
Mass to Commemorate  the Rising of the North

19th December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2015

9th May, Church of St Wilfrid, York.
Solemn Mass & Benediction (St Margaret Clitherow Pilgrimage)

25th July, St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle
Annual Founders' Day Requiem. Ett, Missa Pro Defunctis

5th August, Church of St Charles, Borromeo, Hull*
Missa Cantata. Our Lady of the Snows

29th August, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Vespers of the BVM. (Yorkshire Medieval Festival)

26th September, St Joseph's Church, Heywood
Choral Evensong of Our Lady of Walsingham

3rd October, Grounds of the former Dominican Priory in Arklow, Co. Wicklow*
Dominican Voices. In the presence of the Mayor of Arklow & civic dignitaries from County Wicklow
3rd October, Church of Sts Mary & Peter, Arklow*
Gregorian & Dominican Chant Mass
4th October, Church of St Saviour, Arklow*
Sung Eucharist

20th November, Markenfield Hall*
Sung Mass to commemorate the Rising of the North

21st December, St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior, York
Traditional Carol Service

2016

6th January, Church of St Charles Borromeo, Hull*
Missa Cantata. Feast of the Epiphany

9th January, Church of the Sacred Heart, Hornsea*
Requiem Mass for Les Jones

Not bad for what was supposed to be a one-off occasion!

There are probably others which I've forgotten about, and I haven't included all the services for the Training Conferences at Ushaw (1 & 2), Ratcliffe, Belmont & Prior Park as these would easily add another 30-40 to this list...

The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted that every 5 years we aim to sing Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, so expect that to appear at some point later this year!

That was the weekend (& a bit) that was.

On Friday evening some of the Rudgates and friends came to Bishophill Jnr to sing Candlelit Compline as usual. We normally use the Roman Rite, but for the last few weeks have been trying the Dominican instead, in order to get more acquainted with it, after using (part of)  it on our very successful visit to Ireland last year.

Saturday morning saw me drive off up to Ampleforth Abbey to join other singers, principally from Ryedale, & Fr Alexander McCabe to take part in my first Byzantine Rite Liturgy of the weekend, served by a good friend of mine, Fr David Carnelly. Fortunately, I didn't have too much to do, other than chant the Epistle Reading using my own adaptation of Carpatho-Rusyn chant and provide 'stage directions' of when to sit and stand for the congregation!

One of the pleasures of being involved in these services, is the superb food and drink laid on for everyone afterwards, not just the singers. Such a meal at a restaurant or even a pub, would set you back a minimum of £25 - and it's all free! I just mention that here, so as to whet all your appetites in anticipation of the next Liturgy, which will be in October. That's plenty of time to ponder on such things. :-)

Even if the food doesn't tempt you, the music certainly should!

Sunday saw another morning drive to the Greek Orthodox Church in Leeds, where this past weekend they have been celebrating not only their Patronal Feast (The Three Hierarchs) but also the 50th Anniversary of the first Liturgy to take place in the church. A big occasion with various con-celebrating clergy from across the country. Byzantine chant in Greek and English being the music on offer, a complete contrast from the choral music of the previous day. In addition, we also had relics of the Apostle St Barnabas present, and were able to venerate them.

Here are some photos.

The Third of this trio of Byzantine Liturgies came in the Form of a Vesperal Liturgy for the eve of Candlemas which I sang for the small community of Sts Constantine & Helen in York as their usual chanter is recovering from a heart attack. Prayers for Elwin would be appreciated I'm sure. This was back in Bishophill Jnr, which, apart from being home to the C of E Parish and the Rudgates' base for rehearsals and the singing of the Divine Office, is also home to both Greek & Russian Orthodox communities (both named after SS Constantine & Helen).

Left to my own devices, I improvised (a lot!) and incorporated much of the Carpathian chant that I'd learned when singing Byzantine Greek-Catholic Liturgies at the University of York with the then Chaplain, Fr. Elias, who was bi-ritual.

Finally, to complete this liturgical marathon, I ventured out to the small (but perfectly formed) church in the tiny hamlet of Marton, near Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire & back to the Roman Rite to sing an EF Mass for Candlemas, complete with procession out into the dark night, which promptly extinguished most if not all the candles!

The Church at Marton is lovely, and has a very pleasant acoustic, so singing there is a pleasure, which I hope to repeat  with more Rudgates, whether that's with the Schola only, or the full choir. I don't have any photos from last night, but, in the best 'Blue Peter' tradition, here are some I took on a previous visit!

After all this singing, a treat was in store, in the form of a splendid meal at a Thai restaurant in Beverley!

This coming Friday, we'll be using the Dominican Rite for Compline again. If any of you are in the Greater York area, do come along. You can find us in York's oldest church, St Mary, Bishophill Junior at 9pm. It would be lovely to see you!

Plans for 2016

Happy New Year!

Several things have happened since I last wrote anything here. I never seem to have the time and/or the energy to keep up with this blog, so I'll try and do better this year. :-)

I won't go into detail, but we've been involved in many events and services including our first ever Choral Evensong (for the Manchester Ordinariate Mission) and a very successful overseas visit to Ireland and one, not so successful, but equally enjoyable visit to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy & Liechtenstein (5 countries in 7 days!)

We were delighted to receive several wonderful comments following the Carol Service last month, and are now starting to make plans for the this year.

The Carol Service in York has already been booked for 20th December, but before then, we already have a confirmed Solemn Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Gateshead, for the Solemnity of St. Joseph on 19th March.

We're also keeping 2nd July free for what promises to be a very special event for our 20th anniversary, but I don't want to spoil things by building people's hopes up on here, just in case it doesn't happen, as there's a lot of work to do, administrative and logistical, if we're going to pull it off!

Before then, members of the schola will be singing Mass for the Epiphany at the splendid church of St. Charles Borromeo in Hull tomorrow evening at 6.30. There are already 3 more services looming this month which could involve some of our singers.

Looks like it could be a busy 20th anniversary year!

Before we go on tour come and hear us here!

https://bishophillbillies.wordpress.com/2015/08/14/rare-chance-to-explore-st-marys-church-bishophill/

Your last chance to listen to us in public before the Schola visit Austria, returning to the same location in Austria which we visited 3 years ago. :-)

You'll need to past the URL into your own browser first!

Tours confirmed!

I'm delighted to say that we have not one, but two overseas tours confirmed for later this year. Both will probably only involve the schola due to limitations in numbers, but there are plans currently being discussed to take the full choir abroad in 2016 as it's our 20th Anniversary year, so watch this space..

Meanwhile, tour no. 1 is to Switzerland & Austria taking place from 12th-19th September with a return visit to Tirol. We were there 3 years ago, which was a hugely enjoyable experience, marred only by me developing a very heavy cold which prevented me from doing my fair share of the driving!

We'll be flying in/out of Zurich (top photo) so I hope we can spend a little time there before heading off east to Austria. The photo below is of the church of the Seven Sorrows in Imsterberg, where we sang last time & to which we have received a return invitation if we can fit it in!

Tour no. 2 is to the east coast of Ireland, being based in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.This will take place over the 1st weekend of October. More details will emerge as the year progresses, but we'll be singing in both the Catholic & C of I churches in the town as well as a commemorative service in the grounds of the former Dominican Priory.

Two of us are going across in March to check the locations, & finalise details of services etc. The fact that we'll be over there on St. Patrick's Day is entirely coincidental!

Byzantine Liturgy at Ampleforth Abbey. This Saturday, 24th January. 10:30am

This may be of interest to some readers who live locally. A fully choral Orthodox Liturgy celebrated at Ampleforth with the permission of the Abbot. I wrote about this last year. If nothing else, it's worth going for the food & drink provided afterwards!

A Fresh Start? Hopefully!

I've been intending to post again on here for months. It just never happened due to being overtaken by other events - not all church music related. Discovering that the blog had been hacked as well hasn't helped!

Apparently, hackers can gain entry to individual blogs via 3rd party widgets and post what they like, advertising sites which I sincerely hope no visitor in the last few months followed.. Fortunately, they weren't able to take over the blog completely (which has happened to a number of others) so I've been able to delete all the rubbish and the widgets and all would appear to be well. Certainly there's been nothing new within the last few days so I'm breathing a cautious sigh of relief.

Like me, the Rudgates also seem to have been overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the activity at St. Wilfrid's church in York over the last 12 months. Since the Margaret Clitherow Pilgrimage, we've done very little other than to honour our commitments to Founders' Day at Barnard Castle, the Solemn Mass at Brinkburn and the annual Carol Service at St Mary's Bishophill Jnr.

St. W's now has a Director of Music which to me is a blessed relief, as all I have to do there now is sing (when time and health permit.) The latter hasn't been brilliant either over the last year & I'm still suffering from the after effects of a very bad cold/virus picked up just before Christmas.

I've decided that  we're going to redress the balance this year and try and do more with the Rudgates, rather than just concentrate on York - convenient though that is!

We already have invitations to sing for the Ordinariate Community in Manchester, a Mass honouring the Lincolnshire Martyrs, a Mass at Jervaulx Abbey and Vespers @ St Mary's as part of Medieval Open Churches weekend. This in addition to some of us singing for the annual EF Priest/Server training conference which this year takes place in the splendid surroundings of Prior Park College in Bath.

I'm particularly keen on going to Manchester, because we missed out last year due to being committed to singing at Brinkburn the same day. It will also give us the chance to experience something entirely different from the Roman Rite (in either Form) that most of us a familiar with, be that singing for a BCP style Eucharist (with additions for catholic use) or a full-scale choral Evensong, something the Rudgates haven't done before, not even for the C of E!

In addition to this there are potentially two foreign tours. There is a chance that the schola might be involved in commemorative events in Co. Wicklow in Ireland. We'll need more details before this can be confirmed. More likely is a return trip to the Alps & the Tyrol, this time flying in & out of Switzerland (probably Zurich.) The latter is likely to happen towards the end of September & plans are already being made. We might even get to sing in Innsbruck this time, something we couldn't do in 2012 due to an appointment with a fairly famous beer festival being held in Bavaria.. :-)

All in all, a potentially exciting year. I just want my health to improve, so that I can enjoy it!

YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS NATIONAL EVENT 2014

I've received a request to give this event some publicity, which I'm more than happy to do. One of our Schola members is going even though he doesn't fit the age criteria. He's certainly young at heart though!

BOOK NOW FOR YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS NATIONAL EVENT 2014

Guest Speakers - John Pridmore, Fr. Gregory Person OP, Fr. Matthew Goddard FSSP

There will be:-

Sung/High Masses
Talks
Rosaries
Confessions
Marian Procession
Socials

Cottages (student style dormitory accommodation) £18 per person per night (incl. food).

Guest House (mostly single rooms - hotel style accommodation) £60 per person per night (incl. food).

Day Guests. For those wishing to come for the day on Saturday or Sunday - please bring a packed lunch. It will not be possible to provide food in the Guest Refectory for people coming for the day.

-Please note to guarantee your place this year Douai Abbey have requested that everyone books in 3 weeks before the start of the weekend i.e. 29th August 2014.

How to book

For more details, please see:- http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/events.htm

Or use the online booking system at: https://bookwhen.com/yca-douai-2014. 

Catching up...

Much has happened since the last time I was able to write and post anything here. I won't go into detail on everything, just pick out a few highlights, so here goes!

The annual Margaret Clitherow pilgrimage on 29th March was again a huge success. You can see a very short video commemorating the days events here. http://youtu.be/Brz8emd67l4

Holy Week and Easter came and went at St. Wilfrid's. This year for the first time, two of the Rudgates sang in choir for the offices of Matins & Lauds (Ordinary Form) for Good Friday & Holy Saturday.

Low Week saw some of us travel down to Belmont Abbey in Herefordshire, about 2 miles west of Hereford to take part in the annual Training conference for Clergy & Servers in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Our role was to provide the music for all the public services during the week. As we didn't want to interfere with the existing Monastic Office, this consisted of singing Vespers twice and Solemn Mass three times, so there was plenty of time to explore the local area, and for me to indulge in the local cider & perry!

All services were recorded for posterity on my trusty camcorder and can be found here:

http://youtu.be/L95nZ4JkQLA - Tuesday Vespers

http://youtu.be/tk1E5b7LKtY - Wednesday Mass St. Catherine of Siena

http://youtu.be/X67N4UsCMFA - Wednesday 1st Vespers of St. Joseph the worker

http://youtu.be/8-D5zjd31Gg - Thursday Mass St Joseph the worker

http://youtu.be/hn3aPeF5zcQ - Friday Solemn Requiem

There are some odd camera angles, but that's the disadvantage of guessing and placing the camcorder in a position where it's hoped that it will capture most of what's going on, and leaving it there whilst taking part yourself!  I'm already looking forward to next year, wherever that may be.

On 9th May, some of us went up to sing with the Darlington Ordinariate choir for the annual May Procession and Devotions. another wonderful service, and another Mozart Mass!

More recently, returning to St. Wilfrid's, we had a visit by Fr Cassian, the prior of the monastery at St Benedict’s birthplace in Norcia, Italy, who gave a splendid talk on the place of chant in the Church’s worship. This was followed by Monastic Compline, which caused a little confusion, as it's not quite the same as Compline which we sing regularly at St. Mary's! Again, some of us sang in choir in the Sanctuary, which is a very rewarding place to sing from!

We're now working towards Mass for Ascensiontide at St. W's, which will be followed swiftly by the first High Mass there for decades on the Feast of Pentecost, so do come along if you can!

St. Margaret Clitherow Pilgrimage - THIS SATURDAY!

Posted here in case you hadn't noticed it on other blogs/websites which are much bigger than mine. :-)

A Tale of Three Liturgies

Twice year at Ampleforth Abbey, there is an Orthodox Liturgy (of St. John Chrysostom) one of which takes place around the time of the week of Christian Unity. It's a rather unique event, since it takes place in a Catholic monastery – with the permission of both Abbot & Bishop of the Diocese – and the choir, who come from a variety of different church denominations are directed by Fr. Alexander McCabe from the abbey. It is really rather wonderful, and I would encourage more people in the Yorkshire Region to go and experience it for themselves. The Liturgy itself, is sung in English with music taken largely from the Russian & other Slavonic liturgical services & translated into English. The post Liturgy Lunch is also highly recommended. The Beef Stroganoff this year was simply amazing and it was hugely tempting to go back & have some more, but one has to make room for pudding you know!

Sadly, I don't have any photos for this year, so here are a few from previous years to hopefully whet your appetite – in more ways than one. :-)

The day after this, saw the very first (we believe) Gregorian Chant Sunday Mass – in either Form of the Roman Rite – sung at St. Wilfrid's church in York. We can't prove definitively that it was the first, so if anyone has conclusive proof of one taking place previously, I'd love to know. Following the many very favourable comments received from people (not all known to me!) I've been asked to form a Schola to sing for the EF Sunday evening Mass at St. W's each week – starting from 23^rd February. There are 17 people (so far) who've expressed an interest in singing for this, and whilst I don't expect everyone to turn up week by week, I think that's more than enough to make a weekly sung Mass viable. Frustratingly, this means I'll have to drop out of the main choir that sings at the OF Mass in the morning, for the sake of my health (which isn't that great atm) more than anything else, as I know I can't manage 2 Sung Masses a day, especially when I have to organise the music and take any necessary rehearsals for one of them! That said, I've already indicated to others that I’ll be supporting the main choir indirectly, by pointing singers who don't wish to sing chant (most of the time) in their direction, and also by sourcing suitable music. However, this is a fantastic opportunity to get a Gregorian Chant Schola established in York independently of the Rudgates which will remain separate & sing for Rudgate services only, and one which I can't possibly turn down!

The final liturgy, was the following weekend, the Feast of Candlemas, and was for me, the most enjoyable of the three. This, I'm sure will come as a surprise, possibly even shock, to some of you who know me personally as it was an Ordinary Form Mass with the Darlington Ordinariate up in Gainford with a few ex C of E bits added to reflect the Anglican Patrimony of course. A marvellous Mass with Mozart, choir anthem (Eccard – When to the temple Mary went) and hymns sung superbly by both choir & congregation. This was followed by a parish lunch, which I hadn't intended staying for but nevertheless got talked into it. The community there are really rather wonderful, and very persuasive! Here's a link to some photos from the day. If you're ever free on a Sunday morning, do consider going to their solemn Mass at St. Osmund's, Gainford. You'll be made very welcome.

From the archives.

http://rudgateramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2008/10/singing-opportunities-for-choirs-in.html

I can't believe it's over 5 years since I wrote this. The answer to one of the questions I raised then is now St. Wilfrid's in the centre of the city. See previous post for how to get in touch!

Happy New Year!

Albeit a day late. I had intended to write this yesterday on returning from church but instead, almost immediately retired to bed and have spent most of today there also having picked up a bug from somewhere which has consequently kept me off work today & possibly tomorrow.

That's enough whingeing! November has come and gone and ended in a flurry of activity, the last weekend seeing me being involved in 3 different events in 3 different locations in 3 days... (None of them being Rudgate services)

On the 22nd (Feast of St. Cecilia) I along with a few other Rudgates joined forces with the Middlesbrough Diocesan Choir to sing Solemn Vespers at St. Wilfrid's church in York (home to the new Oratorian community of which more later!) directed by the wonderful Tim Harrison - Tim, if you read this, we still have to have that post-service pint. ;-) The following day, I went up to Edinburgh to join forces with singers from a local Schola, the Cantors of the Holy Rude in order to sing the first Dominican Rite Mass celebrated there for decades. The Schola was directed by James MacMillan CBE. No doubt some of you will have heard of him! It was nice to be able to have a chat as the last time we met was in London nearly 2 years ago. The Mass itself was celebrated by fr. Lawrence Lew, another friend. We've known each other since fr. Lawrence (aka Paul) was one of the first choral scholars in Leeds Cathedral Choir during my time there. You can read fr. Lawrence's account of the day here.

Finally on the Sunday of that weekend, the solemnity of Christ the King in the OF, I went up to Teesside to sing with the Darlington Ordinariate Choir. If you're ever in the Teesside area on a Sunday, do consider going to St. Osmund's church in Gainford where they are based. The community will offer you a very warm welcome and you can be assured of some splendid music sung in the contect of the OF Liturgy. Evensong is still sung from time to time, reflecting the Anglican patrimony which is a charism of the Ordinariate and it was this that I went for. In fact this was Solemn Evensong & Benediction and it was all rather splendid - not just the music. If you have a Facebook account, you may be able to access the photographs taken by Deacon Andrew Bunce here.

We now move on a week to the beginning of the new Church Year and back to the York Oratorian Community. Several of you reading this will no doubt know by now that the Oratorians of Oxford were invited to send priests to St. Wilfrid's church in York upon the retirement of the previous parish priest, Canon Michael Ryan with a view to establishing an independent Oratory in York eventually.

I (along with others) had already been asked about the feasibility of establishing a choir there along the lines of the existing Oratory choirs elsewhere in the country. Yesterday, the 1st Sunday of Advent, saw a scratch choir, almost half of whom have sung with the Rudgates, sing at St. Wilfrid's for the first time in decades directed by the organist at St. Wilf's, Iain Robertson. I stand to be corrected, but if memory serves, the last  choir that sang for a Catholic Mass on a Sunday in York was also directed by Iain, some 30+ years ago! This is no quick fix though, and to get a choir of the calibre of the existing Oratories will take more than just a few York-based Rudgates and other volunteers turning up on a Sunday morning. We're talking time, probably a year or two before we can realistically achieve this. If you're in the Greater York area and want to be part of what is a very exciting & (hopefully) rewarding venture, then please do contact the new Parish priest, Fr. Richard Duffield who will be delighted to hear from you! For contact details and more about the St. Cecilia Vespers click on this link. If you're not sure yet, you can always have a quiet word with me first via the Rudgate link on this page.

In addition to the new choir which will sing for the main OF Mass at 11am each Sunday, I've also been asked to form a Gregorian Chant Schola for the EF Mass which has now moved there from English Martyrs church and is offered at 5pm each Sunday, followed by Rosary & Benediction. Hopefully this won't be as big a task as the choir as many of the current Rudgate Schola already live in the York area and I hope they will relish the opportunity to sing Masses more often! It is anticipated that Missa Cantatas will start next month with a view to extending this to a weekly sung Mass eventually.

Compline continues as before at our York base, St. Mary Bishophill Junior. We once jokingly referred to this as the Little Oratory! Little did we know what was in store for the future... Times of Compline this month are :

9pm 6th December
9pm 13th December
9pm 21st December

Our Annual Carol Service at St. Mary's is on December 20th at 7.30pm. This sadly clashes with Fr. Richard's induction Mass at St. Wilfrid's, but the date had been fixed months ago, so we can't change it now. Music Plans are also in place for the 4th annual York Pilgrimage in honour of St. Margaret Clitherow. More of that nearer the time, but for now all I'll say is expect some Mozart..!

Compline this week

This will be at 9.30pm on Friday due to other events taking place that day. It's also the Solemnity of All Saints which means of course, Compline of Sunday with Solemn Salve! We'll also be singing Te Lucis II which we don't often get to do.

Usual venue, St. Mary's Bishophill jnr York. All welcome!

Brinkburn Video Highlights

Click on the following link and enjoy!

http://youtu.be/O1XL8BMf_f4

Huge H/T to Mark for filming and editing this.

Compline by candlelight tomorrow.

This is exactly the same as last week, note for note, it being the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. One of our number thought it might be more solemn as we now have a Pope Francis - but not so! It's still Friday psalms, Te Lucis I & Simple Salve.

All welcome at Bishophill Jnr at our usual time of 8.45pm.

Compline this weekend.

We meet on Friday at our usual time 8.45pm at St. Mary's Bishophill Jnr. It's the Feast of SS Cosmas & Damian, class III in the EF, so that's Friday psalms, Te Lucis I and simple Salve. We also have visitors from Germany this week, so do come and say hello!

More about Brinkburn

Last Saturday, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross saw a goodly complement of Rudgates heading up to Northumberland to sing in what is unquestionably (IMHO!) our favourite venue of Brinkburn Priory.

This is not too far from Morpeth, on the road to Rothbury, and is by far the furthest venue that most of us travel to each year, but it is definitely worth it, as the setting, not to mention the acoustic is splendid. :-)

For Holy Cross Day this year, we were joined by the Schola Sancti Baedae from Jarrow, a full complement of clergy and servers and about 30+ people in the congregation who made the journey into central Northumberland. The music went well.

Here's a link to the Offertory Motet, Crux Fidelis.

And some of Mark's excellent photos. I shall have to persuade him to upload some of the video taken that day as well!

Compline tomorrow.

This is traditionally an Ember Day in the EF calendar which we use when singing the Office.

What this means in practice is that we sing the psalms of the day,  Te Lucis III & the Simple Tone Salve.

We meet at St. Mary's tomorrow evening at the usual time of 8.45pm, though it will probably be after 9 by the time we actually start...