29/01/2023
So, my 14 year musical adventure with St Andrew's Cathedral Choir has ended. Following a period of prayer and reflection at the end of 2022 I finally decided at the beginning of January to resign from my post as Music Director and today was my last day. I never imagined I would be leaving the Cathedral, so coming to this decision has been a painful and sad one. Before I go however, I must pay tribute to all those who I have been fortunate enough to meet, work, sing and worship with over the past fourteen years:
The Choir: My heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful choristers and musicians, past and present for all your hard work and dedication over the years. You have made this choir what it is today with your team work, gifts, talents and time which you have given so freely and graciously every Sunday, every Thursday where you created a standard of liturgical music befitting of a Cathedral. I will miss you more than I can say.
To those who have supported me over the years: Sincere thanks to those who have helped and guided me since taking over this role. Too many to mention individually, but you know who you are and what you have meant to me. A special mention to Robbie Cakebread though, without whom this choir would not exist. His friendship and support sustained me and helped me realise I could do this, even when I thought I couldn't! Rob, even though we're separated by thousands of miles, we're never really apart!
To those who helped 'behind the scenes': You ensured the smooth running of the choir in dozens of different practical ways, giving freely of your time and expertise. I salute you. Your work was often unseen but always appreciated. Thank you.
As a choir, as a tight, but welcoming community of faith, we have accomplished much, both musically and practically, and as part of this I must mention our twice a year charity collections, to which you all contributed so generously, enabling us to support local, often small, faith based charities. We also helped other parishes and organisations in their own fundraising activities by giving concerts, recitals and participating in their liturgies. In these and many other ways we lived out the Gospel by loving our neighbours and caring for the less fortunate in our society. Such was the ethos of our Choir, this was what made us so special and demonstrated the multi-layered purpose of our very existence as a group. You should be proud of yourselves and all you have achieved in representing our Metropolitan Cathedral in the wider community.
Thanks be to God: I thank the Lord for entrusting me with this great gift – He gave me the opportunity to spread His Word in prayer and song and brought each of you to me so we could share this blessed adventure together. Deo Gratias.
I could say so much more, but I’ll leave it there and close now by saying, God bless you all and thank you for the wonderful memories which I’ll treasure forever. With much love always, Maria xx
