Addison Chorale ready for ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity
Posted By Matt Day
Posted 6 months ago
The Addison Chorale has barely crossed town to perform, yet come the end of July they will be crossing the pond.
The singing group of 19 singers, organist and musical director Gordon Schofield has been invited to to be the choir-in-residence for a week at the renowned Canterbury Cathedral in England.
Schofield said he doesn’t know who issued the invitation but assumes it was a visitor who saw the group sing at St. Mark’s Anglican Church last summer.
“We’re on the main tourist beat in the Old Town and the doors are open all summer so we’re assuming it was someone from one of those performances,” he said.
Although the group is based out of St. Mark’s, the group is not strictly Anglican.
“It’s exciting, a big thrill, and an honour; especially since we are not a traditional Anglican church choir. We’re ecumenical in nature and we think it’s a good thing,” explained Schofield.
“As some churches spend an awful lot of time stressing what makes them different from one another, we get together on a weekly basis and celebrate what we have in common, and that’s the love of God through music.”
They will be leaving July 23 and returning Aug. 4. Until then, they are spending two nights a week rehearsing in preparation for the “once in a lifetime opportunity”.
Schofield said he is looking forward to the opportunity to visit the home parish of Robert Addison, the first Anglican rector appointed to Niagara in Upper Canada in 1791.
Upon confirming the invite to Canterbury Cathedral, Schofield contacted the Heversham, England parish.
“It’s going to be great to do a sort of double pilgrimage... and fill their churches with the gift of music.”
Upon returning, Schofield said he hopes more doors will open for the group which is now garnering international attention.
