From Mr Stephen Mott
Sir, - Edward Wickham (Radio, 8 November) asserts that "church
music is continuing to flourish even when Anglican churchgoing
continues to decline." Yet we read in the same issue (and that of
15 November) about the cuts to Llandaff Cathedral Choir for
financial reasons.
We are told that men and boys are increasingly absent from our
churches nationally. Without them, the church community is
diminished and incomplete. Additionally, four-part choral singing
has a very uncertain future, whether in church choirs or secular
ones. It seems to me to be mindless to make cuts that result in the
further reduction of men and boys in church.
Furthermore, it seems that if we are to "grow disciples" (as the
Carlisle diocese keeps reminding us), we ought to invest both time
and money in those activities that attract children, both boys and
girls. Singing a wide range of music in a well-run, high-quality
church choir is one of the most effective ways of attracting
children to church.
I am organist and music director of a church in a different
parish from my home here in Cumbria. I have tried over the past
three years to develop children's-music work, attract new singers
to an ageing (but able) choir, and "grow disciples" though an open,
exciting programme (partly based on RSCM materials), embracing all
types of church music from plainsong to pop song. I have
consistently failed. The response has been almost nil. In other
dioceses in the past, I have succeeded.
The message that comes from cutting choirs is that church music
is not valued, and the church musicians who are trying to deliver
good church music as part of Christian outreach are not respected.
This subliminal message spreads to all churches, not just those
directly affected by cuts. It makes those of us who are left trying
to carry out the Church's mission through music feel isolated and
dejected.
STEPHEN MOTT
15 Church Street, Shap, Penrith CA10 3JU
From Dr Christopher Wilkinson
Sir, - The decimation of the music tradition at Llandaff bears
all the hallmarks of an accountant's cold and unemotional knee-jerk
reaction to the situation, which comes with complete disregard for
tradition.
The Archdeacon of Llandaff, the Ven. Peggy Jackson, who
currently has oversight of the cathedral, was, (before being
ordained later in life) an accountant.
CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON
3 The Terrace, Rhymney NP22 5LY
