Support - Advocacy - Training
Dear friends
You are invited to Major Parish Churches - place, people, building: a one-day consultation specifically held for Major Parish Churches. This is a joint event between the Centre for the Study for Christianity and Culture (CSCC) at the University of York, the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Department of the Church of England, and the Major Churches Network. The consultation day will be held at St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road, Oxford on Thursday 11 June 2026 (because the day is being jointly organised, you may receive this invitation more than once, as we are unable to share contact lists due to Data Protection).
This day will give those attending from Major Parish Churches the opportunity to hear from those whose work contributes to the sector - but will also allow your voice to be heard by those helping to define and resource Major Parish Churches in the future. We welcome all clergy and lay members involved in the day-to-day running of our Major Churches to attend.
We will be including sessions led by noted practitioners working across the sector, including representatives from Historic England, Major Churches Network, Cathedrals and Church Buildings Department, Historic Religious Buildings Alliance, and others with experiences of working with Major Parish Churches. The full programme will be announced shortly.
This event is free to enable as many churches as possible to attend, but places are limited to 2 per attending church due to space. Please email benjamin.phillips@york.ac.uk if you need additional tickets, or if you need any further information about the event.
Finally, this comes with best wishes for a blessèd Holy Week and Easter, and our ongoing thanks for all that you do to combine heritage and mission in your ministries.
Adrian
Major Churches Music Conference
Saturday 13th June 2026
Great St Mary's, the University Church, Cambridge is hosting a conference on Saturday 13th June for church musicians and clergy with responsibility for music at Major Churches and churches with a flourishing traditional choral music programme.
The day focuses on three key areas: recruitment of choristers and adult singers; fundraising and grant applications; and vocal health. The cost of attending the conference is £60, including lunch and refreshments.
Please use the link to sign up by 14 May, or for more information email music@gsm.cam.ac.uk
Outline of the conference day
At 0930, delegates arriving early in Cambridge can receive a tour and demonstration of the 1698 Father Smith University Organ in Great St Mary's from Stanley Godfrey.
Coffee and pastries will be served in Michaelhouse from 1000, and the formal conference business will begin with a keynote speech from Carl Jackson MVO: "Why music in major churches matters".
The second morning session will include presentations from Simon Toyne, David Fawcett and Tom Daggett on the Recruitment of Choristers and Adults to Church Choirs. This will be followed by a panel discussion including those presenting and Hugh Morris, Alexander Berry and Jem Lowther.
Before lunch, Helen Groves (voice coach, Great St Mary's) will lead an interactive workshop focusing on Vocal Health for Choristers, Teenagers and Adult Singers.
A buffet lunch and a glass of wine will be provided by Michaelhouse Café, during which there will be the opportunity for delegates to get to know each other.
The afternoon begins with presentations from Hugh Morris, Ruth Massey and Graham Robinson on Fundraising and Grant Applications. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
After this, there will be an opportunity for delegates break out into discussion groups to talk about the potential for future conferences and whether founding a representative group for musicians working in major churches would be desirable and necessary.
The conference day concludes with Choral Evensong sung by members of Great St Mary's Choir and delegates, conducted by Alexander Berry. The music includes Stanford's Evening Service in B-flat and Samuel Sebastian Wesley's Blessed be the God and Father.
After formal conference business has concluded, informal drinks or a meal will be organised for those delegates who wish to attend.
