Over the weekend of 10–12 June, Hugh Morris, Director of the Royal School of Church Music, and Paul Hedley, Assistant Director, will pass through the Winchester Diocese on a tandem bike ride fundraising for the charity and raising awareness about the charity’s special campaign day, Music Sunday, which is on 11 June each year and is an annual chance to celebrate the power of church music and thank all of our church musicians.
With an aim of cycling 96 miles in 48 hours, during what is the RSCM’s 96th year, they hope to raise £9,600. The ride will take them from past to present: starting from Addington Palace, Croydon, where they were based for many years, to Sarum College, Salisbury, the current Head Office. The money raised will support the continuation of church music, providing resources for young people’s courses and training for choir leaders, as in-person church music recovers following the huge challenges of the pandemic.
After setting off from Addington Palace, they will host a ‘Come and Sing’ event called Sing Like an Angel at St John’s Church, West Byfleet. On the Sunday morning they will attend the Eucharist Service at St Thomas on the Bourne, Farnham, then ride on to Winchester to attend Evensong at the Cathedral. Why not come along to show your support? All are welcome!
“The RSCM has a vital role to play in encouraging and enabling music in churches,” said Hugh Morris, the director. “Many people may not think of this as important, but most would miss the lead of the choir and organ at a carol service, or the beauty of the singing at a wedding. These things will be lost if we don’t act now”.
For generations the hymn ’And can it be’ has been known by choristers as ‘The Cyclists Hymn’ because it includes the line ‘My chains fell off’. I hope we won’t have that problem, but I know Hugh and I will be encouraged to continue pedalling when we hear our supporters singing it.
Paul Hedley, Assistant Director
The RSCM has a presence in the Winchester Diocese with church and individual members, including the Cathedral, and supporters, and they would love for people to join them at any of these individual events.
Find out more and donate to ‘the Director’s Challenge’ at www.rscm.org/uk/dc.
There is still time for your own church, whether member of the RSCM or not, to get involved in Music Sunday on 11th June. Find out more at: https://www.rscm.org.uk/whats-on/music-sunday/
