RGS singers feature in new cathedral album

MORE than 20 students from Ripon Grammar School feature on a new album of choral anthems showcasing the voices of the city’s cathedral choir.

The Glorious Kingdom CD also features a solo – For Lo I Raise Up - by Year 9 pupil Xander Galloway-Gee, who appeared on BBC radio to promote it.

The 14-year-old, who joined the cathedral choir eight years ago, said it had been ‘absolutely amazing’ to be involved in the recording, which took place over three nights.

He praised the cathedral’s director of music, Dr Ronny Krippner, for encouraging him and giving him the confidence to sing solos.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson, said he was very proud of the whole choir: “It is a wonderful feature of cathedral life, and getting stronger and stronger with more and more choristers joining over recent years.

“A great cathedral speaks to the senses, and when the whole sacred space is filled with glorious music produced by very talented people like Xander, the whole thing comes alive, it’s tremendous.”

The release of the CD follows a busy year for the choir which enjoyed a residency at Westminster Abbey this summer and a tour of Bavaria, in addition to producing a Christmas CD last year.

Glorious Kingdom tracks include Oh How Glorious is the Kingdom, Ave Maria, Thou Knowest, Lord and Zadok the Priest and is available from the cathedral shop and www.prestomusic.com

Ripon Grammar School students who feature on the CD:

Boy Choristers

Tomas Charlesworth

Daniel Freeman

Xander Galloway-Gee

George Leong

Edward Mence

Nadeeja Silva

Girl Choristers

Suraya Brierley

Verity Chapman-Andrews

Ava Crabtree

Lucy Holton

Sophie Holton

Isla Johnson

Beth Massey

Martha Owen

Elodie Rennie-Oxley

Isobel Robinson

Soprano Choral Scholars

Lily Abrahams

Zara Ali

Theodora Brodie

Abigail Charlton

Saskia Hallam

Altos

Iris Watson (Choral Scholar)

Basses

Llewelyn Blezard-Greenwell (Scholar)

Benjamin Freeman (Scholar)