Leading the country in Virtual 'BIG MUSIC SUNDAY'
Lichfield Cathedral leads the country in Virtual BIG MUSIC SUNDAY – Encouraging Solidarity in Song Following the Government’s Restrictions on Singing
Lichfield Cathedral will be live-streamed on the Royal School of Church Music’s YouTube channel, at on Sunday 6 June at 6pm as the Big Music Sunday Service brings singers together from all over the country, albeit virtually, as a large collective voice, bringing comfort and support to the millions of people who feel cut off from singing, from worship and from each other.
Music will be led by Lichfield Cathedral Choir under the direction of the Cathedral’s Director of Music Ben Lamb, with additional contributions from Wade Street Church Lichfield and a special recording by the Self Isolation Choir of the competition-winning Music Sunday 2021 anthem, God of all creation.
BBC Songs of Praise will also be featuring RSCM’s Music Sunday on their programme on Sunday 6 June, where they will be exploring the power of music in worship.
The Royal School of Church Music, RSCM, has been working to support church choirs through the challenges the latest, unexpected, restrictions on singing from the Government have brought. Together with key partner organisations, RSCM has been working to advocate a revision to the guidance which states that only six people can sing together; and to enable a safe return to choirs singing again.
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revd Adrian Dorber, is leading the way in asking the Government to reconsider the restrictions on singing in church.
RSCM Director, Hugh Morris, explains “RSCM Music Sunday is a celebration of the special place of music in worship. With choirs so severely restricted again at present, the Big Music Sunday Service is a powerful way for singers to come together in solidarity in song, even if that has to be online. Last year, 2000 people joined us live; and we want more to do so this time in these trying circumstances. The music is rich and varied, and comes from around the world – which seems especially appropriate at this time, as we all come together to support each other”.