Salford City Celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Sunday, 18 March 2012

 

Entrance	All people that on earth do dwell (arr. Vaughan Williams)
Cathedral Choir	I was glad (C.H.H. Parry, 1848-1918)
Hymn	Praise my soul, the King of heaven
Choir of St Phillip’s Primary School	(i) On eagles’ wings (Michael Joncas) (ii) Here I am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
Hymn	Lord, for the years
Hymn	How great thou art
Choir of St Phillip’s Primary School	A Clare Benediction (John Rutter)
National Anthem
Anthony Hunt (organ)	Crown Imperial (William Walton, 1902-1983)

 

The Cathedral was host to a service of celebration organised and led by the Church of England. Our Bishop Terence gave words of welcome and a final blessing, but the prayers were led by the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, and the sermon was by the Bishop of Bolton, Rt Revd Chris Edmondson. The Revd Mark Haworth, Vicar of Rochdale and until recently Borough Dean of Salford, presided over the presentation of symbols from the seven decades of the calendar through which the Queen has reigned, and the lighting of candles by representatives from across the community. Prayers were read by civic, political and community leaders, and the Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Mayor exchanged greetings on behalf, respectively, of Her Majesty and the people of Salford.

Musically speaking it was the most fun we’ve had for ages. The occasion cried out for Parry’s unforgettable coronation anthem, and this we had, vivats and all, aided and abetted by Celebration Brass (as well as Anthony, of course). A misbehaving video camera meant that we couldn't capture the whole thing for posterity, but here’s a clip of the first two or three minutes. (There’s also a longer clip of the entrance procession and opening hymn here.)

There were three items from the magnificent choir of St Philip’s RC Primary School, Salford, including an engagingly nuanced rendition of On eagles’ wings, all led by the equally excellent Mrs Summers, and (I’m guessing) accompanied by Mr Lee at the keyboard. I thought they were a superb advertisement for music in Catholic schools.