Hymns Ancient and Modern and Royal School of Church Music announce major new event
The Church Times Festival of Faith and Music is a brand-new venture, created in partnership with the prestigious RSCM. Working closely with York Minster, the event will offer a stimulating programme of music and worship, talks and workshops in the wonderful city of York. The aim has been to put together a weekend that celebrates church music in all its glory – and that will send delegates home encouraged, inspired and equipped with new, and practical ideas.
The event will be held in York from 26 to 28 April, 2024. There will be an exciting and engaging range of speakers, discussions, and workshops, including a keynote speech by the Archbishop of York, and special services held in York Minster. Other sessions include a choice of workshops on subjects as diverse as taking your church choir into the community, using music to support your church’s engagement with dementia, caring for a pipe organ, choosing hymns, and growing the church younger through music. We’ll also have the chance to hear from two top-flight professional singers: James Gilchrist and Andrea Haines, both of whom began their singing lives in parish church choirs. This event is for clergy, music leaders, and those with a general interest in sacred music. It aims to be a source of celebration, inspiration, encouragement, and resource. Discounts will be available to RSCM members and Church Times subscribers. The Festival programme runs largely on the Friday and Saturday – but with a chance to enjoy the splendour of York Minister on the Sunday.
Festival Directors Sarah Meyrick (Church Times) said: ‘Building on our many years’ experience running our Festivals of Preaching and of Faith and Literature we’re delighted to be adding this new event to our stable. Over the weekend there will be a rich menu of interesting sessions, delivered by some excellent speakers. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming festival-goers to York for what should be a very stimulating couple of days.’
Hugh Morris (Director, RSCM) added: ‘‘I am delighted that we are working together with the Church Times to put on this new Festival. Music is such an important part of worship, and we have put together a wide range of sessions on topics which we hope will appeal to music leaders, clergy leaders, and church music lovers alike. I am sure it will be a really engaging and interesting weekend and am myself already looking forward to attending.’
Notes for editors
The Church Times Festival of Faith & Music with RSCM - 26th – 28th April 2024 in the splendour of the De Grey Rooms, York. Full programme and ticketing information can be found here:
https://faithandmusic.hymnsam.co.uk/
Advertising and sponsorship opportunities available.
About HA&M: Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd is a registered charity, trading on a commercial basis. Via book and newspaper publishing, bookselling and distribution, it generates funds in order to fulfil its charitable purpose of making grants to churches and Christian organisations. It publishes around 100 books per annum in print and digital formats via imprints SCM Press, Canterbury Press, Church House Publishing (under arrangement with the Archbishops Council) and Saint Andrew Press (under arrangement with the Church of Scotland). It also publishes the Church Times and other periodicals, runs an events programme including the Festival of Preaching, and owns leading religious bookshop Church House Bookshop and distribution centre Norwich Books and Music. Hymns A&M employ 65 staff in London and Norwich. www.hymnsam.co.uk
About the Royal School of Church Music: The RSCM is the Salisbury-based, national, independent charity enabling the flourishing of church music. As the central ‘home’ of church music, the RSCM provides relevant education, training and resources to its membership, the wider church, and beyond. It is committed to encouraging the best of music in worship, and to advocating music as a tool for growth of the church. The RSCM supports thousands of affiliated churches across the UK and worldwide through its international partners. In addition, it also supports many schools and individual members, and its work is sustained by thousands of Friends, regular givers and other donors. The RSCM is an open, life-long learning organisation, offering face-to-face and distance education and training through its programmes, published resources, courses and activities. www.rscm.org.uk