October 18 @ 2:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Celebrating the life of Dr Simon Lindley (1948-2025)
This is a Come and Sing with a difference, as we invite anyone who wishes to join us in a day of celebration and singing as we give thanks for the life and music of our former director, Dr Simon Lindley, who died in February.
Dr Lindley was a giant of the musical scene in West and South Yorkshire, and this event is open to everyone who loves singing choral music or wants to give it a try, including those who may not have known him.
We will rehearse and perform excerpts from two works:
- Handel’s Messiah Part I and Hallelujah chorus
- The Angel’s Farewell from the conclusion of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, with internationally renowned mezzo Margaret McDonald taking the solo role.
The singing will be led by St Peter’s Singers, accompanied by Lee Ward and Darius Battiwalla on Leeds Minster’s splendid Harrison & Harrison organ, and directed by St Peter’s Singers’ conductor Alexander Woodrow.
Registration will start at 2.00pm, and the rehearsal will run from 2.30pm-4.00pm. There will be plenty of time and space for refreshments and socialising, and we will conclude the afternoon with a public concert performance running from 5.15pm to about 7.15pm.
Concert bonus!
The performance will also feature David Greed (former leader of the Orchestra of Opera North) playing Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with Darius Battiwalla. Ms McDonald will join them to sing Erbarme dich from Bach’s St Matthew Passion, and St Peter’s Singers will sing short works by Bairstow and Harris.
So it’s all set for a lot of fun! This will be a fantastic, joyous singing day, with the added opportunity to listen to some world-class musicians.
What you need to know…
Booking here entitles you to participate in the Come and Sing rehearsal and concert performance, together with refreshments and use of loan copies .
We will be using the Novello editions of both works (the Watkins Shaw edition of Messiah). Copies will be available on the day, though you are welcome to bring and use your own if you have one.
Dress is smart casual.
Under 18s are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
In order for us to prepare well to welcome you, you are asked to book ahead, letting us know one or two important bits of information. Only a very small number of un-notified admissions will be allowed for special cases on the day. Booking will close at 6pm on 15 October.
Would rather listen?
If you don’t want to sing, but want to listen, you can do that too – audience can book in advance (recommended) or pay at the door for the concert, which will start at 5.15pm and run till about 7.15pm.
You may wish to also come to the Gala Organ Recital at 12.30pm, given by Darius Battiwalla, Carleton Etherington and Jonathan Lilley, who all played at Leeds Parish Church as Assistant Organists or Organ Scholar under Dr Lindley. Admission is free, with a retiring collection to defray expenses.
Learning the music
Not sung Messiah or The Dream of Gerontius before? Need some help? You may want to do some prep!
Here’s a playlist of the choral numbers from Messiah and The Dream of Gerontius
There are a number of websites and apps that may be able to help you (although this comes without warranty!):
ChoralLine : Download an App for your laptop, phone or tablet; costs £9.99-£13.99 per work.
The website offers samples so that you can see what you will get before you buy. The rehearsal is accompanied by clear spoken instructions helping you start at the right time, and your voice part is played in a distinct sound to help you identify the notes correctly. The website also makes it simple to purchase a score if you need to. Click here for more information.
Choralia : Free, but the website is much more basic. There are a number of different options, where you can hear just your part, or all the parts with your part standing out, or all the parts with yours at the same volume as the others. Click here for more information.
Learn Choral Music :
Free, but basic. Click here for more information.
Please note: it is not possible for us to issue copies ahead of the event on 18 October. You may be able to borrow a copy from your local library.
Access and Accessibility
Leeds Minster is about 5 minutes walk from Leeds Bus Station, and about 15 minutes walk from Leeds Railway Station. There is on-street parking on the side streets nearby, as well as the NCP Markets carpark ( 5 minutes) and the John Lewis carpark (10 minutes).
There is ramp access to the main doors beneath the tower, with entrance to the grounds at the West End by the Lamb and Flag pub recommended to avoid the steps up from the street level. Once inside there there is step-free access to the nave and to the City of Leeds Room for refreshments and toilets.
Please contact us on info@stpeters-singers.org.uk if you have any questions or requirements in this respect.
