On Sunday 26 April at 3.15pm, the Choir of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral will pay tribute to one of Armagh’s most famous musical sons, the composer Charles Wood, the centenary of whose death falls in this year.
Wood was born in 1866, lived in Vicars’ Hill and sang in the Cathedral Choir as a boy, with his brother and father. He attended the Cathedral Choir School after which he obtained a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London, from over 1,500 applicants. Wood subsequently became Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge and Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music. He was a skilled teacher and composer, who had a profound influence on the next generation of composers, many of whom he taught.
Speaking ahead of the tribute, Dr Stephen Timpany, Director of Music, said, “Choral Evensong will feature music almost exclusively by Wood, including his Evening Canticles in D, the anthem ‘Expectans Expectavi’, two hymns by Wood and a psalm sung to a chant by Wood. During the service there will also be more choral and organ music by Wood, with short spoken extracts detailing a brief history of the Choral Foundation in Armagh, which is incidentally the oldest in Ireland. We will also highlight Wood’s life from 1866 until his death in 1926, and a short survey of his music.”
All are most welcome to attend this event which will be the Cathedral’s tribute to one of Armagh most illustrious sons. Admission is free with donations to the Choir Fund most welcome.
For further information, please contact: St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral: Tel. 028 37523142