Norwich Cathedral’s musicians are recording organ music for churches to help with their digital worship.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Cathedral's assistant organist. George Inscoe. Picture: Paul HurstNorwich Cathedral's assistant organist. George Inscoe. Picture: Paul Hurst (Image: copyright (c) paul hurst all rights reserved)

While the cathedral building may be closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the centuries-old tradition of worship and music-making is continuing albeit in a very different way, with a special programme of online worship on the cathedral website and the Norwich Cathedral Services YouTube Channel.

The cathedral would also like to help churches across the diocese with their own digital worship by providing organ recordings of hymns, without singing, for use in online services.

These will be recorded on request by the cathedral’s master of music, Ashley Grote, and assistant organist, George Inscoe, on their digital practice organs at home.

MORE: Churches using social media for worship and support during Covid-19 outbreakMr Grote said: “There are so many wonderful Eastertide hymns out there and hopefully this will help more people enjoy this beautiful music. We are conscious that many churches in the diocese do not have the resources to provide or record their own music to send out to their congregations as part of digital worship, and so we want to help fill that gap.

“Clergy are invited to email me, giving details of which hymns they require, and we will record them on our digital practice organs and aim to send back an MP3 sound file within 24 hours. The sound of course won’t compare to the mighty organ of Norwich Cathedral, but it is much better than no music at all.”

Any church wishing to request a hymn recording should email masterofmusic@cathedral.org.uk

Please state which hymns you would like to be recorded, including which tune, if there is more than one possibility, and how many verses of each hymn are required.

MORE: Bishop of Norwich reads Bible stories online for school children during coronavirus lockdown

Meanwhile the sound of music can also be heard around the cathedral’s Lower Close on Sunday mornings, when Mr Grote plays his digital organ from home and opens the windows for all the residents to hear.

He said: “Even though we can’t physically meet together, neighbours can greet each other by waving and shouting hello, and then join in singing together for a few minutes. It has proved a very popular way of maintaining that vital sense of community and lifting people’s spirits.”

Visit www.cathedral.org.uk for more information.

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