County Durham choristers are set to travel London later this month to celebrate the clergy. 

Durham Cathedral Choir will be joining the choirs of St Paul’s and Rochester Cathedral to sing together at the 2024 Clergy Support Trust Festival.

Durham Cathedral will be taking 30 choristers from the North East to London next month, to take part in the Clergy Support Trust Festival on Tuesday, May 7 at 5pm.

The Festival, which is the longest-running choral celebration of its kind, brings together cathedral choirs who would not normally get the chance to sing together.

Blending tradition with innovation, the Clergy Support Trust Festival is free and open to all and offers a unique opportunity to hear high-quality choral music in a world-class building, both for those who are already enthusiasts and for those new to the experience.

The Dean of Durham, The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming said: "I am delighted that Durham Cathedral Choir is invited to St Paul's to take part in this wonderful service. The Clergy Support Trust does exceptional work with mission and ministry through supporting clergy and their families in times of need.

"I know the service will be a special celebration of all the gifts God gives us and invites us to share."

This is the 369th Clergy Support Trust Festival and will feature choral music from the 17th to the 21st century by Gabrieli, Parry, Elgar, Stanford and Cecilia McDowall. The combined choirs will sing Elgar’s anthem Give unto the Lord, written specially for the 1914 Clergy Support Trust Festival, and Durham Choir will sing Giovanni Gabrieli Jubilate Deo.

Choristers from Durham Cathedral will spend two days in London and as part of their visit will also attend a choir rehearsal at Westminster Cathedral. Many of Durham Cathedral's donors and music supporters will also be travelling to St Paul’s to attend the event.

Simon Anderson, Senior Vice President at Global Publishing, was previously a Durham Cathedral chorister and is now a longstanding donor and supporter of the cathedral's choral music traditions.

Simon, who is also attending the event on May 7 said: "I’m looking forward to my third Festival at St Paul’s with Durham’s participation.

"My first was in 1981 as a cathedral chorister. I returned in 1997 as a lay clerk, and this year I’m attending as a supporter of the cathedral’s music making. 

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"Singing together with other choirs is always an experience to treasure, particularly so in the amazing acoustic of St Paul’s.

"I am delighted that this generation of Durham Cathedral Choir will get to experience this and that many more will be able to attend the event for free."

The Festival is an act of worship, giving thanks to clergy and celebrating the work of The Clergy Support Trust which provides independent, confidential and inclusive support to clergy and their families.