Requiem in a Day

FREE EVENT! Come and sing one of the UK's favourite new choral works at Llandaff Cathedral!

Join composer Matthew Coleridge for an inspiring and uplifting day of choral singing at Llandaff Cathedral. You’ll learn his “sublime” choral work Requiem, before singing in an exhilarating evening performance, conducted by the composer, with guest soloist Jeremy Huw Williams and a string orchestra from St Woolos Sinfonia.

This event is FREE for singers to attend. In association with Come and Sing Cardiff.



 Matthew Coleridge is a great force for good in the choral world  Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM

supported using public funding by Arts Council England
Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral

Photo by Michael Beckwith

Llandaff Cathedral

 As uplifting and glorious as anything I've ever sung  Elizabeth, Selby Abbey workshop April 2023

 Just overwhelming, and blew my heart right open  Nicola, Arundel Cathedral workshop February 2023

 He creates joy and sublime moments. Book now before word gets out!  Come And Sing Somewhere review, Exeter 2021

Details and timings

Timings on the day (provisional)

  • 09:30 - 10:30

    singer registration

  • 10:30 - 13:30

    morning rehearsal - part learning and note-bashing

  • 13:30 - 14:30

    lunch break

  • 14:30 - 17:30

    afternoon rehearsal - with organ accompaniment and soloists

  • 19:00 - 20:30

    concert performance - dress code for singers: all black

 Reaches into the soul and lifts it skyward  - BBC Music Magazine

Musicians
Matthew Coleridge

Matthew Coleridge

One of the UK's most exciting compositional voices, Matthew's music leapt into the spotlight in 2023, when his Requiem was voted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame's top 100 - making him the second youngest composer on the list, and 10th highest living composer overall.

His beautifully melodic and deeply moving choral music is performed around the world, and is regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Matthew has written music for acclaimed ensembles including Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, The Queen's Six, Papagena, and the Choirs of Christchurch Priory.

An engaging and charismatic conductor, Matthew is in increasing demand as a choral workshop leader, with regular events around the UK.

Jeremy Huw Williams

Jeremy Huw Williams

A Welsh baritone of international repute, Jeremy Huw Williams studied at St John's College, Cambridge, and at the National Opera Studio in London. He made his debut with Welsh National Opera as Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) and has since appeared in more than sixty operatic roles. He has given performances at major venues in North and South America, Australia, China, India, and most European countries.

Jeremy has appeared for Welsh National Opera, Opera Ireland and Music Theatre Wales amongst others, and has released numerous recordings, most notably of music by contemporary Welsh composers, including Alun Hoddinott, William Mathias and Mansel Thomas. In addition to these he has also given premieres of works by composers John Tavener, Martin Butler, John Metcalf, Julian Phillips, Edward Dudley Hughes, Ian Wilson, Richard Causton, Edward Rushton, Arlene Sierra and Huw Watkins.[1] In 2019 he became President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021 for services to music.

St Woolos Sinfonia

St Woolos Sinfonia

Based in Newport, Gwent, the St Woolos Sinfonia is Orchestra in Residence at Newport Cathedral. We strive to bring the joy of orchestral and chamber music to the people of Newport and to the wider community in South Wales.

Most of our players are professional musicians, including from BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, freelancers and teachers of their instruments. We also welcome talented players from other professions to perform with us as well as undergraduate and postgraduate music students.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Do I need to be able to read music?

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.

Q.  Where can I listen to Requiem?

A.  You can find a full recording on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Music. A physical CD can be found here.

Q.  Are rehearsal tracks available?

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.

Q.  Can friends and family come and hear us perform?

A.  Yes - please do encourage people to come and hear our evening performance! Audience tickets are available through the links above.

Q.  Is there a dress code?

A.  For the evening concert performance, please dress all in black.

Q.  What do I need to bring?

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.

Q.  Will refreshments be provided?

A.  No, but there are several shops, cafés, bars and restaurant within a stone's throw..

Q.  Where can I park?

A.  There is a limited amount of free parking in Cathedral Close, adjacent to the cathedral. Parking is also available at Cardiff Metropolitan University's Llandaff Campus, a short walk from the cathedral. Details can be found here

Q.  Will music scores be provided?

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.

Q.  Can I buy a vocal score? And will Matthew sign it?!

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.

Q.  Do I need to book? Can I just turn up on the day?

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?!

Q.  Will there be lots of singers? I don't want to find I'm singing a part on my own!

A.  Numbers vary between events, but we're expecting over 200 singers for this Requiem in a Day event. There are always a handful of strong singers to lead each section!

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Choral workshops

Requiem in a Day workshops

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