Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund grants announced

17 December 2020

We are pleased to announce that the second round of Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund grants has been awarded to cathedrals which, together with the matched funding from the Church Commissioners, brings the total awarded to £2 million. Grants have been made to Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

A partnership between the Cathedral Music Trust, Ouseley Church Music Trust and the Choir Schools’ Association, the Emergency Fund was created to provide immediate support for cathedral choirs that were silenced during the Covid-19 pandemic. All three partners committed £250,000 and were joined by thousands of supporters from across the world to raise £1 million in response to the campaign.

Demand for the second round of grants from the Emergency Fund was three times higher than the funds available, demonstrating that many choirs will continue to need urgent additional support over the coming months. Although the Emergency Fund itself has now closed, the Cathedral Music Trust will launch a further campaign in 2021 to provide ongoing support to cathedral choirs as well as a wider range of college chapels and major churches with professional choirs.

Chairman of the Cathedral Music Trust, Peter Allwood, commented: “The Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund grants will go some way towards providing much-needed support to many of our cathedral choirs in truly urgent need. However, we are keenly aware of the continued financial pressures many choirs are experiencing, and we will stay in close communication with those who did not receive a grant on this occasion and assist in any way that we can. The Trust is committed to raising more funds to ensure our precious musical tradition is not only preserved but enhanced.”

“I would also like to thank the many performers and members of the public who helped us to reach our £1 million target. The sheer number of contributors shows just how many people are committed to giving our choirs a voice into the future.”

Neil Chippington, Chairman of the Choir Schools’ Association, said: “We are proud to have partnered with Cathedral Music Trust and Ouseley Church Music Trust on this hugely important fundraising campaign. The Fund’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration, and the CSA is looking forward to continuing to work together to safeguard the future of choral singing for generations to come.”

Dr Stephen Darlington, Chairman of the Ouseley Church Music Trust: “I am delighted that the joint commitment from our organisations, together with that of the many fundraisers and thousands of donors who supported the Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund, has enabled us to award grants that will make a real difference to the cathedral choirs in the greatest need.”