Come and sing Matthew Coleridge's intensely beautiful and deeply moving REQUIEM in a choral workshop at Portsmouth's historic 'Cathedral of the Sea'.
In the evening, we'll give a concert performance, conducted by the composer.
Matthew leads his workshops with energy, humour, patience and warm encouragement, giving singers the confidence to perform to the best of their ability.
Matthew Coleridge
Sarah Gait
David Price
Emily Hicks
We'll begin the day's workshop in the oldest part of the Cathedral - the medieval Chapel of St Thomas - learning the Requiem with Matthew and David Price at the piano. After lunch we'll move into the Nave for rehearsals with our soloists.
Before our evening performance, there will be a chance to hear the Cathedral Choir sing choral Evensong.
Book now for an unforgettable day of music-making in the beautiful acoustics of this intimate cathedral.
Info sheetDetails of the day
09:00 singer registration and distribution of music (music hire is included in the workshop fee).
09:30 morning rehearsals. Matthew will guide us through his Requiem, accompanied by David Price at the piano. There will be a mid-morning refreshments break, and some short sectional rehearsals.
12:15 break for lunch. You'll find a wide selection of cafés and coffee shops nearby.
13:45 - 16:45 afternoon rehearsal, with cellist Sarah Gait and soprano Emily Hicks, and David Price at the organ. We'll also be joined by a percussionist.
19:00 - 20:00 concert performance. You'll sing Matthew's Requiem in an atmospheric concert in the beautifully lit cathedral. Also in the programme will be Arvo Pärt's exquisite Spiegel im Spiegel for cello and piano, and Sarah Gait will perform an improvisation on the cello.
Booking info
Workshop tickets (£20) includes music loan for the day.
To purchase a vocal score, which will be posted in advance, choose the (£27) option.
Under 18s welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
All day parking (£2, pay and display) is available at various nearby sites owned by Portsmouth University: St George's House (PO1 2HY), Nuffield Centre (PO1 2EE), Milldam (PO1 3RE) and University House (PO5 4BE) are all within a short walk of the Cathedral. For details, please visit the University website.
Public Transport: Bus numbers 6 and 8 stop within a minute's walk of the Cathedral. Portsmouth Harbour Station and the Gosport Ferry Terminal are a 15 minute walk.
PLEASE NOTE: there are two cathedrals in Portsmouth. This event is at the Anglican Cathedral of St Thomas of Canterbury, PO1 2HA.
The 'Cathedral of the Sea' is a vibrant and welcoming building, with a generous acoustic for choral music. The earliest parts date from the late 12th century, with a Romanesque nave added in the 20th century - a wonderful and intimate performance space for music.
Matt is rapidly gaining a reputation as an inspiring and energetic workshop leader. His Requiem-in-a-Day workshops are led with "humour, skill and encouragement" (Buckfast Abbey workshop 2019), gathering momentum through the day before culminating in moving performances of his music. He has "an extraordinary ability to make singers believe they can produce what he has in mind" (SWEMF workshop 2018).
His choral music has been performed around the world, and has been recorded and broadcast by professional ensembles including The Queens Six, Kantos Chamber Choir and RSVP Voices.
London-based cellist Sarah Gait recently completed a Master of Music degree at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of professors Guy Johnston and Robert Cohen. Originally from North Cumbria, Sarah previously graduated with a First Class BMus(Hons) degree from the Royal Northern College of Music. Sarah has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in venues across Europe and the UK, including for BBC Radio 3’s Live in Concert and on Italian Radio 3. She has featured in Classical Music Magazine and works to promote the role of classical music with young people, currently appearing as Ambassador for the BBC Proms Inspire Scheme.
Sarah is grateful for the support of generous individuals and charitable foundations, including the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation, EMI Music Sound Foundation and BBC Fame Academy. She is also the recipient of prizes including the BBC Proms Young Composer’s Competition, RNCM Weil Prize for Chamber Music, JRNCM Director’s Prize, prize-winner in the RAM Jacob Barnes Prize and RNCM Rosamond Prize (winning performance), and a recently announced finalist of the Cumbria Life Culture Awards.
David studied organ at Trinity College of Music, and was organ scholar at Croydon Parish Church and Rochester Cathedral. Upon graduating, he became assistant organist at Ely Cathedral, before being appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral in 1996. In addition to his duties at the cathedral, David serves on the committee of RSCM Portsmouth and is a member of the Council of the Royal School of Church Music.
Portsmouth University conferred David Price with an Honorary Doctorate of Music in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the development of music at the Cathedral and for his contribution to the cultural life of the city. In 2009 his St John Passion for Good Friday was published by Encore Publications in a series of the gospel passions alongside John Scott, Philip Moore and Richard Lloyd. In 2013 he was elected to an Honorary Fellowship of The Guild of Church Musicians.
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