The Music Department at Brentwood Cathedral, Essex, England

The Song School

Interior views of new Song School. Click to enlarge

Background
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood was formed in 1917 and the original Parish Church, consecrated in 1861, was designated as the Cathedral. During the episcopate of the Rt. Rev. Patrick Casey the Cathedral was enlarged to meet the needs of a growing Diocese.

In 1980 the Rt. Rev. Thomas McMahon became Bishop and during his 19 years he has striven tirelessly to develop the liturgical life of the Diocese and music has been an important part of this work.

In 1982 Bishop McMahon appointed Andrew Wright, formerly Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, as Director of Music for the Cathedral and Diocese, and Andrew set about the task of developing and enhancing the standard and variety of liturgical music around the Diocese and in the Cathedral itself.

In 1991, through the generosity of benefactors, the existing extension to the old Cathedral was replaced by a new building, designed by Quinlan Terry in the Classical style. The new Cathedral is a worthy witness to the faith of the people, a place of prayer with both dignity and beauty and a centre of excellence for the celebration of the liturgy with the highest musical standards.

The setting provided by the new Cathedral has fostered the development of choral and instrumental music in Brentwood, in the Diocese, in the country and beyond into Europe. It has become one of the relatively small number of Roman Catholic Cathedrals able to provide liturgy and music in the tradition of the great English cathedrals.

Existing facilities
The number of people involved in music and liturgy at Brentwood made essential the provision of an area for regular practice outside the Cathedral. Within the grounds was a small one-roomed building, formerly used as a chapel, and this was equipped for use as a rehearsal area, especially for singing and the cathedral Choristers, thus preserving it for the service of music and worship.

The increase of work and the growth of music groups within the Cathedral and Diocese have made it necessary to enlarge and improve the existing facilities. It is hoped that through this provision the Cathedral will be able to improve the quality of its own music and worship and help other parishes, schools and music groups, acting as a real centre for resources and training.

Proposed development

The Song School. South elevation along Queen's Road, with proposed extension

The enlarged Song School will create two further large rooms, together with full ancillary facilities. This will permit multiple activities and an independent, versatile music school for all teaching and possible examination work, not just vocal, but instrumental and academic. It will enjoy the proximity and full support and focus of the Cathedral's work.

In addition to enlarging the building itself, extra vital equipment will be needed to extend the existing facilities:

a new small grand piano
keyboards and other communal instruments, for example percussion
audio-visual aids
recording/studio equipment
textbooks and other necessary educational resources
music resources and library provision
reprographic equipment

Groups that will use the school
The Cathedral has the following groups that meet regularly:

Cathedral Choir Choristers, Choir Gentlemen and Lay Clerks
Diocesan Choirs (Diocesan Liturgical Choir, Cathedral Singers, The Petre Choir)
Cathedral Parish Music Groups
Instrumentalists, String Players and Youth Orchestra
Parish musicians and groups for training in liturgy and music

It is hoped that the facilities will also be used by local choirs and music groups and that in this way the Cathedral will continue and extend the work of the last 17 years by making a further contribution to the local and wider community, ecumenically and culturally.

A broader vision
The Church considers music to be of vital importance to the development of the individual and the community, providing a setting for liturgical prayer and contributing to the spiritual and emotional needs of all who come to share in formal worship or in religious concerts.

The Diocese perceives its own musical needs to be in association with and a contribution to a broader vision, including links with many organisations, local, regional and national. Liturgical music, because of its simplicity and breadth of style, is an ideal vehicle for developing the spiritual and creative capacity of young people and of all those involved, whether as participants, teachers or audience.

Text by Frances Wood, adapted from leaflet "Brentwood Cathedral Song School", June 1999

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