Rector’s Reflections
Thursday 19th September 2024
The Role of Cathedrals in the Modern World
Yesterday, I introduced the subject of the current series of reflections on the role of cathedrals in the modern world, using the word “cathedral” in tis broadest sense, to include all cathedrals, Minsters and cathedral-like establishments. It is a large subject, so where shall we begin?
Let us start with the world of music. Most cathedrals are beacons of musical excellence, especially in the fields of choral and organ music. Cathedrals usually typically host several choirs, both paid and unpaid, and offer a variety of roles for professional musicians. These roles can play a vital part in the career development of an up and coming musician: for example, a young organist can serve a year at a Cathedral as an Organ Scholar, before going on to Music College. Following Music College, they can take up a role as an Assistant Organist, which enables them to gain the experience to be able to move on to the role of Head Organist. As well as proving opportunities for career development, the world of Cathedral music provides wonderful opportunities to receive a general musical education for children and adults of all ages. Cathedrals also provide attractive venues for musical performances from visiting choirs and instrumentalists.
In short, cathedrals provide a vital support to the world of Classical Music, especially in the areas of choral and organ music. Would Classical Music survive in this country if cathedrals were to close down their choirs and make their organists redundant? Yes, it would survive, but it would be in a much weaker and more fragile state. Cathedrals undoubtedly play a key role in keeping Classical music going.
At this point, you may that this is all very well, but why should the Church of England be subsidizing the world of Classical Music? And isn’t the world of Classical Music somewhat elitist? And what has all this to do with the worship of God?
The last question is perhaps the easiest to answer. The Bible encourages us to use music when we are praising God. In the words of psalm 96, “O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day”. In cathedrals up and down the land, church musicians are indeed telling of God’s salvation “from day to day”. This offering of daily praise to God is surely a good thing.
On the question of subsidizing the world of Classical Musical, the response might be that if there is nothing wrong with High Culture, why should there be anything wrong with subsidizing it? We expect that a civilized society will have its museums, theatres and concert halls. Furthermore, our artists add interest and amusement to our world. They help us to see things in different ways, and expand our imaginations so that we are able to appreciate new experiences and fresh perspectives.
As to the question of whether the world of Classical Music is somewhat elitist, the answer is yes, it is somewhat elitist, but what’s the problem with that? Are we to abandon Shakespeare from the school curriculum because it is sometimes hard to understand? I think the key thing is to make our cultural heritage accessible to as many people as possible. A truly democratic approach to culture shouldn’t be about dumbing down the richness and complexity of our cultural inheritance. Rather, it should be about making that richness and complexity available to all. And this is one of the joys of a traditional Choral Evensong. In the course of the service, the congregation might well hear organ music from 18th century Germany, Canticles from a 19th English composer, and an anthem from 20th century France. And all this culture without having to pay for a ticket!
I would add a final consideration. This commitment to music means that musicians are very much part of cathedral life. This in turn means that cathedral clergy provide pastoral and spiritual support to a significant proportion of our country’s musicians and their families. I should also add that several priestly vocations have been nurtured by time spent singing in a cathedral choir. There is something about the careful rhythm of Choral Evensong which enables the seed of God’s word to take root in our lives, and bring forth rich fruit, in God’s good time.
So cathedrals have a significant ministry in relation to music. They also have a ministry in relation to education, and I shall look at this tomorrow.