Excitement is building for our Chichester950 Together in Unity concert on Saturday 17th May. Among the Cathedral musicians, choristers and Lay Vicars - and the many ticket holders eagerly awaiting this landmark event - there is a shared sense of anticipation.
Marking a defining moment in the Cathedral’s musical tradition, the concert will feature the premiere of A Psalm for Chichester, a newly commissioned work by Ivor Novello award-winning British composer Joanna Marsh, performed alongside Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, commissioned 60 years ago this year.
Here, Charles Harrison, Organist and Master of the Choristers, reflects on what this pairing means for Chichester, its choir and the wider world of choral music.
Upholding the Cathedral’s choral legacy
Chichester Psalms holds a special place in the musical history of the Cathedral. Based on several Psalms in the original Hebrew, it is a vibrant work that has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide since its premiere in July 1965. As we mark our 950th anniversary, we wanted a companion piece - one that would use the same musical forces (choir, organ, harp and percussion) while drawing on a text from the Book of Psalms.
Joanna Marsh was the perfect choice for this commission. She has a remarkable understanding of the human voice, crafting choral textures that are both imaginative and sensitive to the performers. Given the age range of our choristers (9–13), it was crucial to find a composer who could challenge them while allowing them to flourish rather than feel overwhelmed. Joanna’s approach strikes that balance beautifully.
On accepting the commission, Joanna was drawn to Psalm 90, a passage that reflects on human mortality in contrast with the eternity of God. This theme resonates powerfully with our 950th anniversary: we are celebrating a vast expanse of history in a single moment, yet, as Psalm 90 reminds us, for God, a thousand years are but as yesterday. I have no doubt that this new piece will add something truly special to our choral repertoire.
A long-overdue female voice in the choral tradition
This commission is also a milestone in another important respect: it enriches the Cathedral’s choral tradition with the voice of a female composer. Historically, the vast majority of the music we sing was written by men - most of them, if asked, would have ticked the ‘white European’ box on a diversity questionnaire. The social and geographical barriers behind this phenomenon have shifted markedly, opening the door for more people than ever to compose music and bring a wider range of experiences and cultural perspectives than could have been imagined even a few decades ago.
The future of cathedral music depends on our willingness to embrace and celebrate this expanding landscape of talent. A Psalm for Chichester is an important step in that direction and it is thrilling to introduce Joanna’s work into our choral tradition.
A moment of transformation
As the concert date approaches, one of the moments I am most looking forward to is hearing A Psalm for Chichester performed in the Cathedral for the first time. While we will be intimately familiar with the choral parts after weeks of rehearsal, experiencing them in full alongside the harp, percussion and organ will bring the piece to life in an entirely new way. The interplay of these instruments with the voices will create a kaleidoscope of sound - a truly magical moment in our ancient Nave.
More than a performance
The Together in Unity concert is more than just a performance; it is a key moment in our Chichester950 celebrations, reflecting our commitment to choral excellence and our responsibility to safeguard this tradition for future generations. Anniversaries invite us to reflect on the past with gratitude and pride, but they also challenge us to shape the future with purpose. This year we have an incredible £950,000 in match-funding available for donations made to music, helping to ensure that our choral foundation continues to thrive for generations to come.
Together in Unity is an opportunity to honour our rich musical heritage, embrace new artistic voices and look confidently towards the future. It promises to be a deeply moving and unforgettable musical experience.