Diocese of Leeds Music is fundraising to enable a group of our young choristers to take part in the world-famous Gabrieli Consort’s innovative Gabrieli Roar project, ending with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in the magnificent Ely Cathedral. This project supports and encourages youth choirs through events intended to inspire and delight, with intensive expert musical and vocal coaching.

We are subsidising the substantial costs of this trip by £5,500 so that our choristers need only make a small contribution. Please help our deserving young singers to take advantage of this outstanding musical opportunity.

This July’s residential trip to Gresham’s School and Ely Cathedral will provide our choristers – many of whom are from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds – with the opportunity to perform with and learn from the professional singers and players of the celebrated consort and their conductor, Paul McCreesh. During the week-long trip, they will be trained by professional voice coaches towards a performance of Verdi’s Requiem, as part of a massed choir of young singers from all over the country, supported by Gabrieli's professional choir and orchestra, in Ely Cathedral. On our return to Yorkshire, we have also arranged a day visiting Cambridge University, including visits to sing in some of the colleges’ beautiful chapels.

‘The past few years have been really difficult for me, but I managed to push through the barriers and was so happy to sing with everyone else at Ely Cathedral. When I got home, I felt like a different person because I achieved so much during the residential, and I can’t wait for next year.’ Elliot, member of Bradford Boys Choir

‘Our participation in Gabrieli Roar has opened so much musical opportunity for our young singers, taking part in performances of a scale that would never be possible in our programme. The expert coaching has developed their confidence and reinforced their commitment to our choirs and joy in music-making and vocal achievement.’ Tom Leech, Director of the Schools Singing Programme.

‘Gabrieli Roar stems from a very strong personal feeling about the importance of culture to young people in our increasingly fragmented world. The Diocese of Leeds has a similar vision, so it’s a natural partnership, and I am delighted to support their dedication and hard work with young people.’ Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Artistic Director