The Diocese of Leeds has the largest church programme of choral music for young people in the United Kingdom. In total it maintains 53 choirs comprising some 2250 children meeting weekly. There are 42 school choirs, five boys' choirs, five girls' choirs a new choir school and a semi-professional adult choir. more »
CDs can be obtained from the Cathedral Music Office. Cheques should be made payable to "Leeds Cathedral Choir Support Group."
CD recordings include:
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The Klais Organ The first recording of the new Klais organ at Leeds Cathedral, played by Benjamin Saunders. The disc features original compositions by Vierne, Guilmant, Part, Howells and Kushnariov alongside transcriptions of music by Glass, Dvorak and Britten. The CD booklet contains full details of the organ. Released May 2010 |
Click Here to Listen to a Sample |
Catholic Collection II The Cathedral Choirs sing music by De Cristo, Palestrina, Perosi and Rheinberger. Organists Review (August 2009): "Their singing of polyphony...is sensitive and devotional...with a terrifically focussed and contrasted reading. These are performances full of spirit and commitment. The recording has excellent clarity and breadth, and it is a fine tribute to the consistent choral work undertaken in Leeds in recent decades - a shining example to other cities." Released March 2009 |
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Jubilate Deo The first recording of the Bradford Boys' and Girls' Choirs, joined by children from Diocesan Schools in Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield. Featuring 400 young voices, the repertoire draws on the cultural traditions of Europe, Africa and the Americas. Released January 2008 |
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Lauda, Sion Music from across Europe including masterpieces by Pedro de Cristo, Rachmaninov, Sumsion and Mawby. Directed by Benjamin Saunders, sung by the boys', girls', adult and junior choirs, joined by the Cathedral bells and organ. Released October 2005 |
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Habemus Papam Music by Correa de Arauxo, Langlais and Lassus. Directed by Benjamin Saunders and accompanied by Christopher McElroy. A special disc of Choral Vespers released to commemorate the election of Pope Benedict XVI. The original service was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 sung by the adult and girls' choirs at the time of the papal election. Released October 2005 |
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Caritas Christi Choral and organ music by Jean Langlais including "Missa in Misericordia Domini", "Missa in Simplicitate" and "Trois Meditations sur la Sainte Trinite". Directed by Stuart Thompson and sung by the combined choirs of Leeds Cathedral. Available as a special order item |
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Choral Music by Stuart Thompson A selection of sacred and secular music by Stuart Thompson, former Director of Music. Sung by the Cathedral Adult Choir. Includes new settings of "O for a closer walk with God", "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Christus factus est." Available as a special order item |
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The Organ Organ music by Bach, Franck, Sweelinck, Howells and Widor played by Joseph Cullen, former Director of Music, on the prototype Bradford Computing Organ, used in the Cathedral until 2005. Available as a special order item |
To join the choirs and for all other
enquiries please contact:
Mrs Peyee Chen
Music Administrator
Leeds Cathedral
Great George Street
Leeds LS2 8BE
Tel: 0113 244 8634
Email: click here