The Lantern Music Trust exists to preserve the renowned tradition of excellent music at Blackburn Cathedral. There is a long held belief that a church dedicated to St Mary can be dated to the year 596 and the Cathedral Choir has sung under that name since the Diocese of Blackburn was formed in 1926. The Trust seeks to ensure that, irrespective of the Cathedral’s financial position, the security of the Cathedral’s music will be safeguarded. The Trust exists to raise sufficient capital to be able to support the Cathedral’s music in perpetuity. Whilst the Cathedral will always support its music, the recent pandemic has catalysed the sense of urgency about this work. To ensure the health and development of our Cathedral music, we need to secure funds to support: • Salaries for the Music Department • Recruiting choristers • Maintenance of the world-famous Cathedral Organ • Six Adult Singers • Eight Junior Choral Scholars • Administrative support • Widening access for choristers via transport • Taking the Choir out of the • Cathedral to showcase our ministry • Commissioning new works and purchasing new scores to maintain the Music Library • Engaging Orchestral accompaniment for both liturgies and concerts