Previous Festivals
The 356th Festival
The 356th Festival Service was held on Tuesday 11 May 2010. The Archbishop of Canterbury processed in State with the Lord Mayor. The Bishop of London, the Sheriffs, Aldermen of the City, ten other Bishops and over 80 Livery Company Masters were also present.
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Alan Harper preached the Sermon.
The choirs of Lincoln Cathedral and Westminster Abbey joined the choir of St Paul’s for the Service and the State Trumpeters of the Band of the Blues & Royals also took part.
The Service began with Hail, gladdening Light by Charles Wood; the three choirs singing together from the West End of the Cathedral. Other anthems included Exultate Deo Poulenc; O sing unto the Lord a new song Tomkins; Coelos ascendit Stanford and Ascribe unto the Lord SS Wesley.
The lessons were read by the Reverend Canon Lucy Winkett, Precentor of St Paul’s, and the Reverend Canon Charles Richardson, Trustee of the Sons of the Clergy and Chairman of the Friends of the Clergy. The Prayers were led by the Reverend Sarah Eynstone, Minor Canon of St Paul’s and Anglican Ordinands from Ridley Hall, Wycliffe Hall, Cranmer Hall and Cuddesdon. The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing.
The Lord Mayor presided at the Dinner at Merchant Taylors’ Hall that immediately followed the Service. The Bishop of Stafford, the Right Reverend Gordon Mursell, proposed the toast to the Sons of the Clergy.
The 350th Festival Service
The 350th Festival Service was held on Tuesday 18 May 2004 and was attended by the Duchess of Gloucester. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who preached the sermon, and the Lord Mayor of London were also present. They were joined by Sheriffs, Aldermen, Bishops, Masters of the City Livery Companies and many others.
The choirs of St Paul’s and Wells Cathedrals took part together with representatives from St George's Chapel, Windsor and from 38 other cathedral choirs from across the country. The combined choir of over 300 sang a new anthem, "Would you know your Lord's meaning in this", specially commissioned for the service and composed by Malcolm Archer, then Organist of Wells Cathedral. In addition they performed other anthems particularly associated with past Festival Services.
“Would you know your Lord’s meaning in this” has now been published and is available from the Royal School of Church Music at £2.50 per copy. The relevant order reference is EMP001 and contact details are as follows:
RSCM Music Direct
Cleveland Lodge
Westhumble
DORKING
Surrey
RH5 6BW
Telephone 01306 872811
Fax 01306 887240
E-mail musicdirect@rscm.com
Website http://www.rscm.com//shop
We do hope that our supporters will encourage the performance of the anthem by choirs known to them, linking it where possible with the promotion of the work of the Corporation.
back to The Festival
