| On Wednesday
22nd October 2003 the Appeal was officially launched at a Dinner held in
the Nave of the Cathedral. The Dean Welcomed everyone and introduced Canon
Roger Royle and Mr Mark Wildman as guest speakers.
During dinner those present were entertained by a quartet from the Gwent Chamber Orchestra led by John Roberts. After dinner the Cathedral Choir sang John Ireland's stirring Te Deum in F.
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Canon Roger Royle with the Dean of Brecon the Very Revd. John Davies
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David Gedge, The Dean of Brecon and Canon Roger Royle. |
Afterwards Canon Roger Royle Spoke of his pleasure at being back in the Church in Wales as he was baptised and confirmed in Splott "though it was obvious that he had had elocution lessons". He emphasised the importance of music within the liturgy and that it is getting more and more expensive to keep the important and valuable traditions going. "The Church in Wales has been doing things on the cheap and it can't go on" Canon Roger said. He finished by wishing the Appeal success. |
The Cathedral Choir then sang the beautiful Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei from Haydn's Little Organ Mass accompanied by The Gwent Chamber Orchestra. The Gloria of which is only 45 seconds long due to constraints put on composers by church authorities in Haydn's day. Haydn gets around this by writing a "telescopic" Gloria with each part singing different words until the final "Cum Spirito". He gets his own back though with a very long Benedictus.
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Canon Donald Strudwick, Canon Roger Royle and David Gedge reminiscing about Southwark Cathedral where they all have connections |
How the Nave looked from the Pulpit |
Following the Mass Mr Mark Wildman from the Royal Academy of Music spoke about the benefits of education as a chorister. He said "As a chorister you learn coordination and discipline both invaluable skills in life". Mark had been a chorister in Gloucester and warmly feels for the task we have at Brecon. he also praised David and Hazel Gedge for their 37 years service in Brecon Cathedral. He has sung Solos many times at Easter and Christmas in Brecon. |
The final speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rodney Ashwood the secretary of the Appeal who thanked everyone who has been working so hard towards the Appeal. He announced that the total so far was an excellent £100000. If you haven't contibuted to the Appeal yet and would like to please contact: Lt Col (retd) Rodney J Ashwood The Endowment Appeal Secretary Brecon Cathedral Choir Trust The Cathedral Office Cathedral Close Brecon Powys LD3 9DP Telephone 01874 623857 email: assistant@sandb.org |
Archdeacon of Brecon Venerable Randolph Thomas enjoying his meal |
The Archdeacon of Gower Venerable Robert Williams with the Deputy Mayor of Swansea |
The Choir then finished with the very moving "O Salutaris Hostia!" by Edward Elgar. Before the Dean closed the proceedings reminding us that the children who will benefit from the Appeal are all local "Normal" kids who otherwise would not have the chance to experience such music and then a prayer and good wishes to all. With this very important event in the life of the Diocese now at an end the hard work really starts. £1million is the target if we are to keep such an important resource going.
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