Join singers from around the country to sing in an inspiring performance of Matthew Coleridge’s sublime REQUIEM in Derby Cathedral.
We'll spend the day learning and rehearsing this stunning choral work, before giving an evening concert performance, directed by the composer.
I didn't want the performance to end - something I haven't thought during a concert for several years now!
A glorious piece to sing... a lot of us were in tears by the end of it.
singer registration
morning rehearsal - part learning and note-bashing
lunch break (bring a packed lunch)
afternoon rehearsal - with organ accompaniment and soloists
concert performance - dress code for singers: all black
Matthew Coleridge - conductor
Alexander Binns - organ
Sarah Gait - solo cello
Sarah Jane Griffiths - soprano
...and the Requiem in a Day Choir!
He creates joy and sublime moments... book now before words gets out!
composer & director
One of the UK's most exciting emerging composers, Matthew is a charismatic and engaging choral leader.
His workshops are led with sensitivity and humour, bringing out the best in singers and inspiring a confident performance.
His beautifully melodic and uplifting choral works are widely performed. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Scala Radio, and recorded by professional ensembles including The Choir of Royal Holloway, The Queen's Six and RSVP Voices.
organ
Described by the Organ Magazine as ‘one of our finest young players’, Alexander Binns is the Director of Music at Derby Cathedral and, until recently, was the youngest Cathedral Director of Music in England.
At the Cathedral he is responsible for the operation of Derby Cathedral Music Department and for directing the Cathedral Choir for services, concerts, broadcasts, recordings and tours.
Alongside his duties at the Cathedral, Alexander is a Visiting Music Teacher at Trent College, Musical Director of the Derventio Choir, Vice Chair of the Derby and District Organists’ Association, and Area Team Leader of RSCM Derbyshire. Prior to moving to Derby Alexander was Assistant Director of Music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
cello
British cellist Sarah Gait is an innovative musician and creator. Recently awarded the 2020 ISA Digital Creative Award from the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Vienna, for her video Heroes: the Shadows of a Tragic Mind, Sarah performs across the UK and Europe, including recently as soloist with the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester in another of her own improvisation-based compositions.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Sarah has performed on BBC Radio 3’s Live in Concert and featured in Classical Music Magazine. Sarah is a keen promoter of classical music with young people, appearing as Ambassador for the BBC Proms Inspire Scheme, and her own compositions have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
soprano
Sarah Jane Griffiths is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music with a BMus(Hons) in Vocal Studies, and sings with the BBC National Chorus of Wales.
She has appeared as a guest soloist with the St Woolos Sinfonia, Cardiff Bach Choir, Côr Meibion Pontypridd, Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, Llysfaen Singers, Côr Bro Ogwr, Come and Sing Cardiff and the Cantabile Chorus.
Sarah Jane is involved with ‘Come and Sing Cardiff’, a non-profit organisation which provides the opportunity to sing great choral works in a friendly workshop environment, and 'Jubal's Lyre', a chamber music collective based in Cardiff.
A. This event is suitable to all choral singers with a basic grasp of music reading. If you can't read music, it would be very wise to learn your part beforehand (see below for details of rehearsal tracks). If you've not sung in a choir before that's ok! Come along and see what you've been missing.
A. You can find a full recording on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Music. A physical CD can be found here.
A. Yes. Head over to koor.app - you'll need to register for a free account, then you can listen to the individual voice parts, recorded by professional singers.
A. Yes - please do encourage people to come and hear our evening performance! Audience tickets are available through the links above.
A. For the evening concert performance, please dress all in black. There are changing facilities available at the venue.
A. Music will be provided for you on the day. It would be helpful to bring a pencil and a packed lunch (or there are plenty of places nearby to buy something during the lunch break). You'll also need a change of clothes(all black) for the evening performance.
A. We won't be providing refreshments at this event, but there are several cafés, shops, pubs and restaurants within a striking distance of the cathedral.
A. The nearest large car park is the multi-story at Derby Assembly Rooms (£4.50 all day). See Parkopedia for more details.
A. You can borrow a vocal score on the day. If you'd like to buy one in advance (please do!), you can add it when you book your ticket.
A. You can buy a vocal score in advance, which is a great way to learn your part ahead of the day. It'll be posted to you when you make your booking. Matthew's always happy to sign scores during rehearsal breaks.
A. We can't guarantee you a place if you don't book in advance - venues are limited in space, and we may not have enough music. It's free to book so what are you waiting for?!
A. Numbers vary between events, but we're expecting around 70-100 singers for this Requiem in a Day event. There are always a handful of strong singers to lead each section!
I am spreading the word that we have a great piece of new choral music to enjoy singing - I am still on a high from Saturday’s performance 24 hours later!
Richard Duckett - Pershore Abbey workshop 2022
This was no ordinary 'come and sing'! A work of exquisite beauty
Music in Portsmouth review, 2020
Thank you for giving us such an uplifting day , singing in the amazing space of Downside Abbey. Truly, some unforgettable moments for all of us singing.
Roma Galpin - Downside Abbey workshop 2022
It was a privilege to take part; you are a consummate musician and taught us with sensitivity and humour - all too rare in choir directors!
Juliet Grundy - Pershore Abbey workshop 2022
A glorious piece to sing - a lot of us were in tears by the end of it
Teresa Stubbs - Buckfast Abbey workshop 2019
My goosebumps have goosebumps!
Catherine Priston - Pershore Abbey workshop 2022
A joy and privilege to sing this most beautiful piece of music under the direction of the composer himself
Heather Harvey - Buckfast Abbey workshop 2019
Thank you for a wonderful day. You were so encouraging and patient. I can't imagine not singing your Requiem again. I absolutely loved the day!
Monica Kent - Louth workshop 2019
We were enthralled by the pure beauty of your Requiem. Parts of it were quite exquisite and we loved the fact that you, the composer, were directing us with such skill and clarity of conducting. Thank you so very much for a phenomenal day
Jeanne Apsland - Buckfast Abbey workshop 2019
Come and sing Matthew Coleridge's Requiem in some of the country's most inspiring cathedrals, abbeys and churches. All events are directed by the composer.
"Matthew Coleridge is a great force for good in the choral world" - Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM
Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6BS
St Mary's St, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2AF
workshop in the Lake District with Cumbria Festival Chorus
Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5RZ
Church St, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 2AY
Cathedral Cl, Cardiff CF5 2LA
Lancing College Chapel, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0RW