Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group

Contents

Overview
Choral Festivals in the Diocese of Salisbury
Current Festival
Previous Festivals
Diocesan Awards to Choristers
Examinations 

Overview

The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group exists to support church choirs in the Diocese through the provision of Choral Festivals in the Diocese and to produce the resource material in the form of the associated Festival Book or other publications. It also administers the Diocesan Awards to Choristers and determines the syllabi of the examinations for the Awards.

The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group was created by the Diocesan Synod in June 1997 when new central structures of the diocese were approved and implemented. The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group took over from the Salisbury Diocesan Church Music Committee the functions to do with the Diocesan Choral Festivals and associated activities.

The objectives of the Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group are:

• to support church choirs in the diocese through the provision of Choral Festivals in the diocese and the production of resource material in the form of the associated Festival Book or other publications
• to administer the Diocesan Awards to Choristers and to determine the syllabi of the Examinations for the awards

Copies of festival books from 2000 - 2010 (with the exception of 2001) are available for purchase.
Click here to view them or scroll down the page.

Contact Details

General Enquiries: secretary.sdcfg@salisbury.anglican.org

Festival Books: treasurer.sdcfg@salsibury.anglican.org

Awards: awards.sdcfg@salisbury.anglican.org

Chairman: chairman.sdcfg@salisbury.anglican.org

By post: SDCFG, 1 Redgrave Close, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0HW UK

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Choral Festivals in the Diocese of Salisbury

We believe that for over 150 years the Choral Festival Group and its predecessors have provided Choral Festivals for church choirs in the Diocese.

Over the years new music has been commissioned for use at the festivals, Parry composed 'Hear my words, ye people' for the 1894 festival and more recently Sir John Tavener composed 'Ravoneē' for the millennium festival and Bryan Kelly composed a setting of Psalm 100 using the Common Worship Psalter for the 2003 festivals.

Festivals are held at Salisbury Cathedral in June each year and at centres in the North and South of the diocese in the autumn. In preparation there is a Choir Directors Rehearsal in February and a number of regional rehearsals in May. 

The Festival Service Book is published well in advance of of the Choir Director's rehearsal and it contains all the music for the year's festivals - it is usually available from November of the year before the festivals to assist choirs in their preparation. The music is chosen so that the books become a continuing resource for the choirs in their own parishes. Books may be available for purchase after festivals if the print run has not been sold out, look at the past festival details to see which books are still available.

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2012 Festival

Previous Festivals

Copies of festival books from 2000 - 2011 (with the exception of 2001), are available for purchase. Details of these books and festivals are available by clicking on the texts below.

Diocesan Awards to Choristers

The Dean's and Bishop's awards are designed to encourage choristers to achieve a high standard of singing and musicianship. The awards will integrate with the training used by choirs that use the RSCM Voice for Life scheme and the Bishop's Award is a requirement for those wishing to proceed to the RSCM Gold Award. The Voice for Life scheme enables singers to develop their musical skills and understanding within the context of their choir. The awards are validated by the RSCM at the Bronze standard (Dean's Award) and Silver standard (Bishop's Award) and their scheme provides opportunities for the singer's development to be affirmed beyond their own church, through the RSCM's regional network.

Candidates for the Bishop's Award must previously passed the Dean's Award (or any other Award validated by the RSCM at Bronze level). Successful candidates are entitled to wear the appropriate Award medallion.

The awards are open to choristers of all ages and denominations who are members or either Anglican Churches in the Diocese of Salisbury or choirs affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (Wessex Area), and the syllabi has been carefully complied with this in mind.

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Examinations for 2012

Examinations will take place as required and Choir Directors should submit applications for examinations approximately 4 weeks before their candidates will be ready for examination.

Where there are only one or two candidates please attempt to work with other local choirs to enter candidates for examination together. The Awards Secretary will arrange the examination appointment. Please note examiners are unlikely to be available during Advent or Lent.

Download a copy of the Dean's & Bishop's Award Syllabi
A version of the entry form suitable for online submission can be downloaded, please contact the Awards Secretary for internet banking payment details.

Examination fees for 2012 will be £25.00 for the Dean's Award and £30.00 for the Bishop's Award. Medallions for successful candidates cost £17.50 for both awards.

All entries must be sent to:
David King, SDCFG Awards Secretary. 1 Redgrave Close, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0HW
Email: awards.sdcfg@salisbury.anglican.org 

Please ensure that entry letters have the correct postage paid in line with the Post Office pricing guidelines. A C4 envelope which takes A4 unfolded is a LARGE LETTER.

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