The Choir of Belfast Cathedral

03/06/2026

Last Friday was a day of great joy in the life of Belfast Cathedral, as we celebrated the marriage of our Organist and Master of Music, Mr Jack Wilson, to his bride, Miss Holly Aston. 💐

Surrounded by family and friends, we gathered for a beautiful Nuptial Mass filled with prayer, thanksgiving, and a feast of glorious music.

The Cathedral Choir was directed by the distinguished organist and choral conductor Mr Richard Hills, with our own Sub-Organist and Assistant Master of Music, Mr Jack McCabe, providing masterful accompaniment. 🎹

The service was led by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev’d Stephen Forde, assisted by the Rev’d Julie Bell, the Rev’d Janice Elsdon, and the Rev’d Dr Ros Lane.

Among the musical highlights was the world premiere of ‘These I Can Promise’, a newly commissioned work by Sir John Rutter, setting words by Mark Twain. Its first performance formed a particularly memorable part of a service marked by beauty, joy, and celebration.

Pictured here alongside members of the Cathedral Choir and clergy, Jack and Holly begin their married life together with our warmest congratulations, prayers, and every blessing for the years ahead! ❤️

24/05/2026

📯 Summer Organ Festival 📯

We are delighted to host several organists from across the province, alongside our own staff organists, for our inaugural 2026 Summer Organ Festival, held each Saturday beginning at 1.10pm!

Come and experience the thrilling sound of our Harrison & Harrison organ, currently undergoing exciting tonal changes with joint efforts by Nicholson & Co, and the Pipe Organ Preservation Company. Our newly installed camera display system will allow you to view, as well as listen to, each recitalist. 🎥

Recitals are 50 minutes each, with light refreshments provided. A retiring collection will be held in aid of the Cathedral Organ Fund.

Full details can be found below. All are most welcome, and we hope that you can join us! 🎹

22/05/2026

Please join us for our Choral services this weekend as we celebrate Pentecost and welcome Fr Martin Magill as Ecumenical Canon.

22 FRIDAY 5.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
Reading Preces and Responses
Willan Fauxbourdons Tone VIII and III
Sullivan The long day closes

4 SUNDAY: WHIT SUNDAY The Day of Pentecost
11.00 a.m. CATHEDRAL EUCHARIST
Darke Communion Service in F
Hurford Litany to the Holy Spirit
Cochereau IV. Toccata (from Symphonie Boston)

3.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG with the Installation of Fr Martin Magill as
Ecumenical Canon
Reading Preces and Responses
Stanford Evening Service in B flat
Grayston Ives Listen Sweet Dove
Elgar I. Allegro maestoso (Sonata in G Major)

15/05/2026

Please join us for our choral services this weekend with music stretching all the way from Haydn to Arvo Pärt. We also have an additional treat with a short organ recital by the Cathedral’s Organist and Master of Music Jack Wilson before evensong on Sunday.

Hope to see you there!

15 FRIDAY
Saint Matthias
5.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
Bertalot Preces and Responses
Moore The Third Service
Howells My eyes for beauty pine

17 SUNDAY
11.00 a.m. CATHEDRAL EUCHARIST
Haydn Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo
Bevan There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major BWV 541

3.10 p.m. ORGAN RECITAL Jack Wilson Organist and Master of Music
J.S. Bach Trio Sonata No. 1 in E flat Major BWV 525

3.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
Radcliffe Preces and Responses
Stanford Evening Service in G
Arvo Pӓrt Da pacem domine
Bélier Toccata

08/05/2026

Lots of wonderful choral and organ music coming up this week - please join us if you can!

8 FRIDAY 5.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
Ayleward Preces and Responses
Weelkes Short Service
Gibbons Almighty and everlasting God

10 SUNDAY 11.00 a.m. CHORAL MATINS
Jack Wilson Preces and Responses
Britten Jubilate in C
Britten Te Deum in C
Jonathan Dove Seek him that maketh the seven stars
Widor VI. Finale (Symphony No. 4)

3.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
Jack Wilson Preces and Responses
Wood Evening Service in D
Willan Rise up, my love, my fair one
Stanford Postlude in D minor

14 THURSDAY Ascension Day 7.30 p.m. CATHEDRAL EUCHARIST
Derek Collins Saint Columba Mass
John Rutter O clap your hands
Messiaen III. Transport de joie d’une âme devant la glorie du Christ qui est la sienne (L’Ascension)

05/05/2026

🎶 Services and Music List May-June 2026 🎶

Our Services and Music List for the months of May and June is now available on our website.

17/04/2026

There’s lots of wonderful music happening this weekend at Belfast Cathedral, starting with evensong this evening at 5.30 pm.

Tomorrow we look forward to welcoming Charles Wood Festival of Music and Summer School Armagh, John Rutter and singers from across NI for their sold out Come and Sing event.

Details of all our other services are below. All are welcome!

Friday 17 5.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG

Bertalot Preces and Responses
Jack Wilson Fauxbourdon Service
Janet Wheeler Alleluia, I heard a voice

SUNDAY 19 11.00 a.m. CATHEDRAL EUCHARIST

Philip Stopford Belfast Centenary Eucharist
Philip Stopford Christ the Lord is risen again!
Whitlock Fanfare

Sunday 19 3.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG

Sarah MacDonald Preces and Responses
Stanford Evening Service in C
Boyle Thou, O God, art praise in Zion
Parry Fantasia and Fugue in G

10/04/2026

Best wishes and thanks to Strathclyde University Chamber Choir for leading the music at our services this weekend. Do support them if you can!

This weekend we have the pleasure of welcoming Strathclyde University Chamber Choir to sing our choral services, while our own choir enjoy their Easter break.

Under the leadership of their conductor, Alan Tavener, and accompanied by David Hamilton, the Choir will offer a repertoire that will lead us further into the joy of Easter, including pieces from James MacMillan and Martin Dalby, an evening service from Kenneth Leighton, and Gorczycki's Missa Paschalis.

You are welcome to join us this weekend as we continue to celebrate Christ's resurrection, and enjoy the gift of music together.

🎵Friday 10th April:
Choral Evensong (5:30pm)

🎶Sunday 12th April:
Choral Eucharist (11am)
Choral Evensong (3:30pm)

09/02/2026