Interactive music downloads

This new resource alows church musicians to share accompaniments for churches without an organ or an organist.

Download a sample here (1.2 MB)

If you would like to contribute an MP3 file, please email us

Remember that singers have to follow pre-recorded accompaniments (rather than the organist following them), so make it clear when everyone has to 'come in' and perhaps allow a 'gathering note' for them to jon the flow!

VOICE OF GOLD

Kathryn Page has a golden voice – and that’s official. She was presented with the Royal School of Church Music Gold Award by the Dean of St Davids, the Very Revd Jonathan Lean, in the Cathedral during the RSCM’s annual Festival Evensong.

Singers from all over West Wales took part in the service, which included music by Stanford, Chilcott, and SS Wesley.

The occasion gave choirs a chance to enjoy performing with the more experienced musicians of the Cathedral Singers and the boys of the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Assistant Organist Simon Pearce. It also gave them ideas to take back to their home parishes.

One of the simplest was a setting of Isaac Watts’ hymn When I survey the wond’rous cross set not to the familiar tune Rockingham but to the English folk song O waly, waly (better known as The water is wide). This striking piece of musical lateral thinking, sung devotionally in the resonant setting of that ancient shrine, was ample proof to the many newcomers to this year’s festival that good church music doesn’t necessarily require a high standard of technical ability – or even a golden voice. Simple, as well as small, is often beautiful.

A setting of O waly, waly suitable for accompanying the hymn is available for download in MP3 format here (1.2 MB)