Overview
Music and art are powerful ways in which we connect with one another, and through which the Cathedral and the City connect.
History of Music at St. George's Cathedral
Ever since the arrival of Bishop Gray in 1848 there has been a sustained effort to maintain the cathedral's standard of music. His founding of St George's Grammar School in that year meant the ready availability of choirboys. By 1857 a full cathedral music service was being offered.
While Thomas Barrow Dowling was organist and master of the choristers between 1888 and 1926, the fine Hill organ from St Margaret's in Westminster was erected in the cathedral. Dowling was succeeded by Alban Hamer, who was organist for 25 years, and Keith Jewell for ten.
Barry Smith was appointed as Organist and Master of the Choristers in 1964 - the first South African to hold this position, in which he continued for 42 years. Dr Smith sought to further the cathedral's musical mission in the city, and regular choral and orchestral concerts became part of the cathedral's outreach. He was succeeded in 2007 by David Orr who developed the popular Music in the Cathedral programme as well as introducing more contemporary music in the sung services. There are now three choirs involved in worship: the Morning Choir, Evensong Choir with choristers and the Cathedral Chamber Choir. Since June 2013, Grant Brasler has been Organist and Master of Choristers. Jonathan Langenhoven directs the Morning Choir.
The liturgical performances of the great orchestral masses by composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Bruckner and Stravinsky have become an important part of the cathedral's music tradition. Full choral evensong is sung on Sunday evenings, excepting on the last Sunday of each month, when we have Jazz Vespers.
St Augustine, perhaps the greatest of Africa's saints, once said that those who 'sing their prayers to God pray twice' - because they deepen the inadequacy of mere words in order to begin to approach the majesty and glory of their creator.
Words may challenge the mind, but music invigorates the heart, touching us where true transformation is to be forged.
