Special Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the Life of Richard Seal
On Saturday 01 October Salisbury Cathedral holding a special Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the Life of Richard Seal (Organist and Master of the Choristers at Salisbury Cathedral, 1968–97). The service will start at the earlier time of 16.00.
*Please note this service will be livestreamed.
All are welcome to come to the service, which will be sung by the full Cathedral Choir of Girls, Boys and Lay Vicars. The preacher will be Canon Jeremy Davies, former Canon Precentor and a tribute will be given by Keith Ross.
The Music Scheme is as follows:
Ecclesiasticus 44: 1-8 • Philippians 4: 4-9
Rose Responses • Psalm 139: 1-11
Howells Collegium Regale • Harris Faire is the heaven 164
Hymns on order of service • Bach Fugue in E flat (BWV 552
Many will remember Richard’s work at the Cathedral over a period of nearly 30 years. His musical career started as a chorister at New College, Oxford, progressed through posts at Christ’s College, Cambridge, St Bartholomew-the-Great, London, and Chichester Cathedral, and fully blossomed at Salisbury. Apart from the meticulous care he took preparing the music for the Opus Dei – the daily routine of sung worship – perhaps his crowning achievement was his pivotal role in the foundation of the Salisbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir in 1991. He conducted with distinction both the Salisbury Musical Society and the Salisbury Orchestral Society for many years, and he was honoured with the award of a Doctor of Music Lambeth Degree in 1992 for his services to cathedral music. Richard was an exceptional musician and a gifted servant of the Church.
To read a personal tribute written Steve Abbott (first published in the September edition of Choir and Organ} follow this link. Steve has been a Lay Vicar in Salisbury Cathedral Choir since 1985 and was a chorister for four years under Richard Seal.