Press
The Diocese of Leeds has the largest church programme of choral music for young people in the United Kingdom.
Our Choral Directors work with some 3500 children weekly (over 100 groups across 53 schools), returning to their bases to run our elite choirs; 6 boys’ choirs, 6 girls’ choirs, 5 mixed children’s choirs, 2 youth choirs, 3 university choirs and an adult choir, all drawing their membership from our school sessions.
There are two main elements to the system: auditioned choirs for boys and girls and the Diocesan Schools Singing Programme. These two areas of work are complementary and the musical and educational rewards flow into the schools and the liturgical life of the Diocese.
Click here to read testimonials from schools, choir members and parents.
The development of the choral programme is facilitated by a financial partnership with schools, and has been the subject of a number of press articles and news reports in recent years. A selection of these is reproduced below by kind permission of the publishers and broadcasters.
Songs of Praise – Primary School Choirs ( © BBC Television)
Songs of Praise – Bradford Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs ( © BBC Television)
News report – Chapeltown Choir School Project ( © BBC Television)
News report – Singing to Pope Benedict ( © BBC Television)
Past Hymns ( © 2018 Music Teacher Magazine)
A Top-flight Choir ( © 2018 Catholic Herald)
Schools Singing Programme ( © 2017 The American Organist)
Singing Our Praises ( © 2016 Royal School of Church Music)
Its all about the music for Leeds Choirs (© 2016 Catholic Universe)
Finding their voices ( © 2016 The Tablet)
Medal Glory for Bradford Girls (© 2014 Catholic Universe)
Sure Foundation (© 2014 Music Teacher)
Leeds Diocese Youth Choirs (© 2014 Catholic Life)
Leeds Cathedral leads the way (© 2013 Organists Review)
The heart of cathedral music ( © 2012 Cathedral Music Magazine)
New appointment at Leeds ( © 2012 Friends of Cathedral Music)
Singing for the Pope ( © 2010 Times Educational Supplement)
New Cathedral Organ ( © 2010 Organists Review)
Choristry revival ( © 2010 Bath Abbey Music Society)
Inner-city voices ( © 2010 Yorkshire Evening Post)
First state primary turns choir school ( © 2009 Times Educational Supplement)
A week in the life of a Choral Director ( © 2009 Diocese of Leeds)
Singing in Leeds Diocese ( © 2009 Association of British Choral Directors)
Roll out the choirs ( © 2008 Classical Music Magazine)
Laying Solid Foundations ( © 2008 Choir and Organ Magazine)
Sing Choirs of Schoolkids ( © 2007 The Tablet)
Glorious Morales Magnificat octavi toni at @DOLMusic Leeds Cathedral this evening...a final pre-Lent treat (enhanced with some hasty post-vespers practising of the alleluias from Ecce vicit leo)...
Super cool I was glad from @GabrieliCandP @Paul_McCreesh English Coronation recording - thrilled that we were able to take senior singers from @DOLMusic Bradford Catholic Youth Choir to record on this - full track on spotify! https://t.co/JkcLWjtwri
@DOLMusic BCYC among the many youth choirs on this! (You need to go to Spotify to hear the whole track). An incredible sound, can't wait for the whole album to come out! https://t.co/TjGi5xy1Za
@FireheadMusic @DCJPipeOrganist @michael02337132 @DOLMusic @BBCRadio3 Brilliant! Best of luck for this Michael and David, hope it goes brilliantly, can't wait to hear it!
Places are going quickly for our CPD event, 'Developing your work with Young Voices' with Dr. Jenevora Williams. 60% places are full within one week of advertising, book on today!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/developing-your-work-with-young-voices-dr-jenevora-williams-tickets-585730...
We are delighted to be hosting this CPD event, 'Developing Your Work with Young Voices' with Dr. Jenevora Williams at Hinsley Hall on Tuesday 9th July, 12-6pm, with lunch included.
Jenevora was one of the first singing teachers in the UK to gain a PhD in Vocal Pedagogy, with lots of experience working with singers of all ages and genres.
Places are limited, so for more details, and to book your ticket, please visit:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/developing-your-work-with-young-voices-dr-jenevora-williams-tickets-585730...
or email: charlottekitson@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk
Tonight at 5.30pm Allegri's Miserere sung by the Cathedral Choir for the Ash Wednesday Mass.
The Bishop Konstant Youth Choir in action with members of Music Department staff!
Members of the Bishop Konstant Youth Choir enjoyed a fabulous Pop and Gospel Workshop with the inspirational Craig Lees on Sunday at St. Thomas a Becket School. Singers and their parents were blown away by the amazing sound, and had so much fun! Thank you so much, Craig!