The Music Service is based at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol UK.
We provide a wide range of music for liturgies at the Cathedral and also serve the Clifton Diocese.
Music
at Clifton Cathedral
The Music Team at Clifton Cathedral
Richard Jeffrey-Gray, our Director of Music
co-ordinates and directs liturgies, choirs and people, additionally overseeing the Music Service in terms of liturgy and repertoire.
Stephen Bryant, the Cathedral Organist is principally concerned with the care and playing of the Cathedral Organ, and also runs our Junior Choir.
Choral Director
, David Bednall, is principally concerned with the development and running of the Cathedral Choir for Solemn Masses and Cathedral liturgies.
The 9.30am Mass is led by Gill McLorinan.
You can explore more about the music service on our website here
The Clifton Diocese is also served from the Cathedral and plans are afoot to hold music days in conjunction with the Department for Liturgy to provide a more complete experience of formation with them.
Since we are a Music Service, we make ourselves available to help with anyone in the Diocese involved with, or who has concerns about music, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We advise on situations, repertoire, resources, organs and sound systems through the year. Our Director of Music recently commissioned a sound system as part of an RIBA award winning project and was acoustic advisor on several nationally award winning others.
Diocesan Cantors/Organists
The Music Service is happy to arrange for diocesan musicians to lead worship or training days at your parish.
Celebrations included in this might be Mass for special or important occasions, confirmations, dedications, baptisms and so on. We can also supply musicians for weddings and funerals. Carol services can also be covered.
The Music Service is funded by the Cathedral and Diocese, but we have to make a charge for these services since the funding only extends as far as diocesan liturgies. The charges go towards paying the professional musicians we use as well as the costs of administration.
Music for your wedding
There is nothing better than music to create the right atmosphere at your wedding, and deciding which music should be played is one of the most important decisions you need to make when planning your big day.
Before selecting the music for your wedding you should contact Richard Jeffrey-Gray, the Director of Music who will be happy to advise you, email music@cliftondiocese.com. Richard is a musician with over 30 years’ experience of playing for weddings, if he is unavailable to play for your wedding another professional organist will be booked on your behalf – there is no change in the fee if this is the case.
With the help of our music staff and the attached suggestions we endeavour to make choosing the music for your wedding an enjoyable and rewarding part of your preparations. If you are having a Nuptial Mass there are a few other aspects to consider which we will go through you with when we meet.
Funeral music
A Roman Catholic funeral, like all funerals, is a time of sadness and mourning. However, in the Catholic faith there is joy in the belief that a funeral represents the passing of the beloved into eternal life. It is our goal to make this process as easy as possible.
A funeral should reflect the life of the one that has passed before us and should uplift those who are left behind.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHORAL SCHOLARS AND EXHIBITIONERS
The choir is delighted to welcome our Choral exhibitioners and scholars who now make up a full complement of singers. Some have been with us for a while, whilst others are newer to the Cathedral. It is wonderful to have these amazing young singers in our ranks. Not forgetting our dedicated volunteers who sing every week, all enhancing our liturgy under the direction of Dr David Bednall.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHORAL SCHOLARS
The choir is delighted to welcome two new choral scholars who sang their first Mass with us recently. Millie (soprano) is a second year music student at the University of Bristol and Jack (bass) is completing his A levels in Chepstow. More information on choral scholarships can be found here www.cliftonms.com/scholarships
CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS
Clifton Cathedral Choir
The Cathedral Choir is on the hunt for volunteers and would particularly welcome tenors and basses. The choir rehearses on Friday evenings and sings the Sunday 11.15am Mass and other special services. Entry is through audition.
Please email Choral Director David Bednall at choir@cliftonms.com if you would like more details, or come and speak to him after Mass.
SUNG VESPERS
Fridays Sung vespers in the Cathedral at 5.15pm. All are warmly invited to come to this lovely way to round off the working week and join the universal work of prayer in the Church. We are always very happy for new children to join us – come for fun and singing each Friday – no previous experience necessary. Please get in touch with Stephen Bryant at juniorchoir@cliftondiocese.com if you would like to join our Junior choir.
VISITING CHOIR
Clifton Cathedral was filled with the joyful sound of two choirs joined in song at Sunday morning’s (13th February) 11.15am Mass.
Our own Cathedral Choir had the pleasure of singing alongside the Chamber Choir of St George’s School, Windsor, who are enjoying a short tour of the area with their director James Wilkinson, a University of Bristol alumni. Under the direction of newly appointed choral director David Bednall, the choirs sang parts of the ‘Spatzen Mass’ by W A Mozart and music by C V Stanford. We were also delighted to welcome distinguished church composer and organist Malcolm Archer who also directed the choirs for his introit ‘Blest are the pure in heart’ and more Mozart. Lastly, and by no means least, our Director of Music Richard Jeffrey-Gray was also on hand to play, direct and oversee the visit of the enthusiastic young choir.
We hope the choir enjoyed their visit and they will remember singing in our wonderful Cathedral – we may even see them again sometime.
Director of Music
Richard Jeffrey-Gray
music@cliftondiocese.com
Choral Director
David Bednall
choir@cliftonms.com
Organist & Junior Choir Director
Stephen Bryant
Juniorchoir@Cliftondiocese.com