Could you introduce yourself, how you got into music / become an organist and your musical journey to where you are today? I was a son of the manse so heard the organ in church every week and when my legs were long enough the organist encouraged me to give it a go and I was hooked! I had played the piano from seven and took my first organist post at Dundee Methodist Church when I was 14. What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?All the recitalists were asked to include some music from the Town Hall tradition so I am opening with a Concert Overture and an arrangement by Edwin Lemare. The rest of the programme is what the audience has come to expect from my concerts!Why do you enjoy playing the organ?Playing the organ has been part of my life for so long I can’t imagine not doing it. When I finally retire I’ll sit and play Bach for my own enjoymentDo you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?The audience should never be able to tell! You can join us on Wednesday 4th September at 1pm to hear Gordon's organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm.
The popular weekly free ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals will return to Bradford Cathedral after the summer break. This season will feature a line-up of fifteen organists, starting with concert organist Gordon Stewart on Wednesday 4th September 2024. The organ recitals begin at 1pm every Wednesday and are preceded by an optional £4 buffet lunch at 12:30pm. The organ recitals are free to attend, though donations are welcome. The recitals last around 45 minutes and those attending are also welcome to explore the Cathedral before and after the recital. Graham Thorpe, Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral, says:“We’re really looking forward to the return of our Wednesday@One organ recitals. As ever, we have a superb line up of organists, some old friends, and some who have never been before. The theme this term is the Town Hall Organ, exploring sacred and secular music. “As always, doors open at 12:30 for the famous buffet lunch at only £4, followed by the recital at 1pm. Do join us, and spread the word!” You can also read an interview with each organist, on the Bradford Cathedral website, in the week leading up to their recital. For more information about the new series of ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals, please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/organ-recitals This season's organists in full: 4th September – Gordon Stewart (Concert Organist)11th September – Alastair Stone (Ripon Cathedral)18th September – Edward Taylor (Carlisle)25th September – Graham Thorpe (Bradford) 2nd October – Kris Thomsett (Newcastle Cathedral)9th October – Anthony Gray (Bradford)16th October – Peter Wright (London)23rd October – Lucy Morrell (Dulwich College) 6th November – Robin Walker (Canterbury)13th November – Alana Brook (Wakefield Cathedral)20th November – Thomas Hawkes (Stowe)27th November – Tom Moore (Northampton) 4th December – Shanna Hart (Cambridge)11th December – Ed Jones (Wakefield)18th December – Darius Battiwalla (Leeds)
Bradford Cathedral is launching a new service aimed at families of younger children. This service will take place in the de Lacy Centre and will be an interactive time of worship and learning including food, crafts and songs. The first service will take place on Saturday 7th September 2024 from 12:30pm to 2pm. The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Worship and the Arts, says: "We have a long tradition in Bradford of delivering interactive and fun Messy Church events as well as our weekly Children's Space. Our Education and Visitors' Team welcome families in each school holiday with our Family Activities and these continue to be popular, regularly booking out for the limited spaces. “The new Family Service is an attempt at building on all this and to grow a new congregation within our Cathedral family. This service is particularly aimed at families who either are unable to join us on a Sunday morning or are part of a Sunday congregation but would like to worship with their children at the same time and in the same place. Come and join us and discover ways to follow Jesus as a family." For more information, please visit the ‘What’s On’ page of the Bradford Cathedral website or call the Bradford Cathedral office (Mon-Fri, 9am – 2:45pm) on 01274 77 77 20.
Bradford Cathedral will be holding the Practicing the Way course every fortnight from Tuesday 10th September, between 7-9pm. The course will take place in the de Lacy Centre in the Cathedral grounds. The Practicing the Way course is designed to help those taking place live as an apprentice of Jesus: to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. The course is in eight sessions and will end on the 17th December 2024. Each session will combine video teaching, group discussion and personal reflection. The rhythm of the course involves learning at the session, followed by practice and reflection between sessions and processing and discussion together at the next session. A typical session will include a shared light supper, a reflection, video, group conversation and a final discussion and prayer, and a course booklet will be available to all those who sign up. The Revd Duncan Milwain, Assistant Curate at Bradford Cathedral, says:“This course is an antidote to our culture built on hurry, distraction and isolation. It looks to Jesus as a teacher and invites us to explore how to become a little more like him and to do as he did. We will have the opportunity to explore together the rhythms of sabbath, fasting, solitude, generosity and prayer. We can, in turn, use these to create a Rule of Life - how best to be in the modern age. You will be able to gain insights from this course whether you are a lifelong follower of Jesus or whether you are thinking of exploring faith for the first time. “The course is free and there is no obligation to attend all sessions - although we do hope that you will. Simply go to the events section of our website to book a place. We look forward to meeting you!" For more information, or to book your free places, please visit https://bradfordcathedral.org.uk/event/practicing-the-way/ or call the Cathedral Office on 01274 77 77 20 Monday – Friday between 9am and 2:45pm.
