Updates

Update: 21 March 2021

Last Friday, the Bishop of Sheffield published his report following the four-month “Visitation” at Sheffield Cathedral. Like the Bishop, we found it “uncomfortable reading”.

The report established the Cathedral Choir was closed without any meaningful consultation, without a clear message, and in a way that negatively impacted the mental health and faith of the musicians.

We welcome the recommendations to “give serious consideration to issuing an unreserved apology for the unintended hurt that has been caused by the closure of the Cathedral choir and in particular to former choristers” and to explore a “process of mediation”.

Read the Bishop’s summary here: https://www.sheffieldcathedral.org/news/2021/3/19/bishop-of-sheffield-publishes-determination-following-sheffield-cathedral-visitation

Update: 04 Oct 2020

Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir is aware that Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, announced his resignation this morning during the Sunday Eucharist. Members of Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir wish Peter well. We will continue to work with the Cathedral's leadership to restore the choir.

On 22 July 2020, and in the middle of a global pandemic, the Dean and Chapter of Sheffield Cathedral announced its decision to close the Cathedral Choir.

As former musicians of Sheffield Cathedral, we were shocked and saddened at this decision and came together to consider our response. The collective, Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir, was established.

We had three central objectives. First, to correct the record which set out a confused and illogical rationale for closing the Cathedral Choir. Second, to put forward our views on how the Cathedral could move forward from this situation. Third, to challenge the divisive narrative which clearly set out to pit clergy against musicians.

Our goal, as indicated by our name, was to save Sheffield Cathedral Choir.

Today marks an important step towards achieving that goal. As the cathedral now looks to the future, so do we. We have all served the Cathedral under the leadership of Peter Bradley and recognise the dedicated service he has given to the Cathedral and the city.

We reaffirm our commitment to saving Sheffield Cathedral Choir. We are grateful to those who have patiently engaged with our campaign. And, in the spirit of inclusive dialogue, we offer our combined musical expertise as new cathedral leadership looks to renew choral worship and restore music-making at the heart of Sheffield Cathedral’s mission.

Update: 02 August 2020

On Sunday 02 August 2020, the Dean of Sheffield Cathedral spoke live to Edward Stourton on BBC Radio 4 Sunday. His words doubled down on previous claims about "fundamental problems" with recruitment and the concern that there were very small numbers of congregational worshippers, even when the choir "were singing beautifully". Acknowledging the attendance of congregational worshippers was not the fault of the singers, the Dean conceded that "Chapter have got to look very carefully at the pattern of services".

Questioned further on whether he thought the (now defunct) Cathedral Choir were "any good", he obfuscated. He said, "Every Dean always thinks their own choir is the best. But, we believe that actually we should be raising our ambition. And, we should be the best choir there can be in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. I don’t think we’re there yet, actually." No precise information was given as to the shortcomings of the choir; he simply stated that the Dean and Chapter wanted the choir to be "singing at a quality that’s thrilling ".

The Vice Dean had previously stated to the Sheffield Star: "This is not a Covid decision, and it's not a financial decision”. However, he revealed “the Covid situation focuses one's mind on the core things we are about" and that "chapter was unanimous". Probed about whether the Dean and Chapter's actions were like those of the most rapacious kind of capitalist firm taking advantage of a global pandemic, the Dean concluded: "given that it’s happened, it’s a good opportunity to rethink, begin again."

At the tail end of the interview, the Dean told former choristers to go and sing elsewhere. He said, "you know, there are other opportunities for singing for children in Anglican church choirs even quite close to us in Sheffield. If children really want to sing ... there are great opportunities for them to take up and we certainly want them to do that."

Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir are deeply sorry that distressed singers continue to be maligned by the Dean and Chapter, that a global pandemic has been used a cover for an act of musical and religious destruction, and that any pastoral care for the emotional well being of former singers has been abdicated.

Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir were subsequently contacted by the Daily Telegraph for comment.

"We agree with the Dean and Chapter that Sheffield Cathedral Choir should be raising its ambition. It's good to emphasise that we share this as a common goal but, unfortunately, the Dean and Chapter give no clear evidence as to how exactly it intends to deliver this ambition. In fact, we are yet to be given precise examples of how the present choir has been found wanting. In our view, Sheffield has been an example of high quality cathedral music-making over the last 20 years. Choirs inevitably go through highs and lows, but this is rarely due to circumstances the singers can control. Thinking that removing existing choristers will lead to a rise in excellence is naive and signals a complete lack of understanding about the choral sector. Developing a choir needs strong singers who can lead and mentor new talent. Finding singers who are above the standard of current members simply will not be possible (and anyone who has even a vague understanding of the choral scene in Sheffield is aware of this). In our collective experience, the choir has performed at a high standard on a regular basis as evidenced by numerous Radio 3 broadcasts, CD recordings and TV appearances."

Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir!

BBC Radio 4 Sunday: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ldkl

Daily Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/02/sheffield-cathedral-dean-criticises-choir-saying-quality-singing/

Sheffield Star: https://www.thestar.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/sheffield-cathedral-closing-down-its-choir-why-2921046