Letter: Musical backwater

Alan Hall
Monday 24 May 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Letter:

Musical backwater

Sir: Tony Flanaghan cannot possibly be serious when he claims that English cathedral choirs "represent the apogee of choral excellence" (letter, 22 May). Is he unaware of our great adult choirs and music festivals? The Bach Choir and the BBC Chorus, to name only two, sing far more exciting - and international - music than is found in most Anglican cathedrals. The Anglican organ-loft is a musical backwater.

Anglicans must stop thinking that they are specially favoured musically and liturgically, drop the pretentious preciosity which they share with neither the Free nor the Roman churches, and start to use adult mixed choirs (in lay dress, not in silly twee surplices) as part of the congregation rather than as "clerks" if they want to maintain or raise musical standards.

ALAN HALL

Gilwern, Gwent

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in