220 singers from the Southwark Diocese raise the roof as part of Southwark Cathedral's new Outreach Programme.

On Sunday 16 June, 14 parish church choirs from across the Diocese of Southwark joined forces with Southwark Cathedral Choir to sing a festival Evensong. This initiative forms part of Southwark Cathedral Choir’s new Diocesan Music Outreach Programme which includes workshops for parish musicians and school children from all over the Diocese of Southwark.

Director of Music and Cathedral Organist, Ian Keatley, commented, ‘It was thrilling to hear so many musicians singing together as one choir. The sound was overwhelming and the sense of energy in our sacred space was inspiring. It’s all about community and the opportunity to strengthen relationships with our parish church choirs and schools across south London. It was wonderful to see people from every generation singing together with one voice. Through this area of work, we extend our outreach to richly diverse communities in south London and beyond. We strive to support musicians of all ages and more specifically to transform children’s lives, especially those who otherwise might not have access to music training.

The Dean of Southwark, The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley, said, ‘Choral music has so many lessons to teach us at the moment, not least how we need to attend to each other carefully if we are to reach a harmony. To see people of all ages singing together, to the glory of God, was moving and inspiriting. There is so much talent in the parish choirs of the diocese and it was a wonderful encouragement to everyone involved to bring that talent together.’