The Canterbury Service

Description

The Canterbury Service was originally composed as a unison setting and first performed in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 6th November 2004 as part of the Royal School of Church Music Canterbury Area Festival Eucharist, which was presided over by The Right Reverend Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover.

For many years, choirs have been asking if there was a harmony version (apparently altos and basses aren’t too keen on top Es first thing on a Sunday morning!) so in this version I have tried to keep the exuberance of the original setting whilst adding harmony parts to the bigger movements. It was always my intention that congregations could sing with the choir where they wished to, so there are still still some moments of unison singing to lead everyone confidently together, especially in the various acclamations found in the Common Worship Order One Communion Service.