TV talent finalists elbow cathedral choir off the stage
BBC accused of snubbing Christian choral group on its home turf in favour of reality show singers
A DISCORDANT note threatens to disrupt the harmony of the long-running BBC programme Songs of Praise after it was accused of snubbing a cathedral choir in favour of a group of finalists from a reality television show.
Bangor Cathedral is to host the flagship religious programme over the Easter weekend. But when filming takes place on Monday, the cathedral’s choir will be relegated to sitting among the congregation – while Cor Glanaethwy, a choir from a nearby performing arts school, takes centre stage.
The decision has led to a chorus of disapproval, with one chorister describing it as “disrespectful”. In a letter to the cathedral, the unnamed singer wrote: “Songs of Praise is a Christian television programme, and cathedral choir is a Christian choir. Yet the choir has not been asked to sing on Songs of Praise, which is a snub.”
The BBC defended its decision, saying it often works with different choirs from the community. The broadcaster refused to comment on its choice of a performing arts choir over a traditional Christian group for the Easter show. Bangor Cathedral Choir has around 20 singers, and has been in existence since the 14th century. It is made up of students from schools across the city as well as choral scholars from the University of Bangor.
Several choristers and some parents have complained to the cathedral’s governing body. One parent said children had been “teased” by students from Cor Glanaethwy.
Bangor Cathedral Choir usually sings traditional English hymns to a background of organ music, while Cor Glanaethwy frequently sings in Welsh, as well as performing pop songs on Britain’s Got Talent.
The Daily Telegraph understands Cor Glanaethwy will sing in both English and Welsh for Songs of Praise.
The 167-piece choir made it to the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2015, and came third overall, losing in a controversial vote to a performing dog and a magician. They performed a Welshlanguage version of Leonard Cohen’s pop song Hallelujah.
David Walliams, who was on the judging panel, said the choir made him feel “proud to be a quarter Welsh”, and Simon Cowell predicted it would win.
Ysgol Glanaethwy, the school which produces the choir, runs acting and singing classes in Bangor. It first rose to fame in 2008, when the choir took part in BBC One’s Last Choir Standing programme and came second.
A BBC spokesman said: “Songs of Praise films in different cathedrals across the UK, often working with a number of choirs in a location and on this occasion we are filming with Ysgol Glanaethwy.
“All the local choirs, including the Bangor Cathedral Choir, have been invited to be part of the congregation singing the hymns.” The BBC told The Telegraph it is common for the show to work with a number of choirs.
The Dean of Bangor, the Very Rev Kathy Jones, said: “We are delighted that Songs of Praise are going to be recording at Bangor Cathedral and that a number of groups from the community are taking part.”
Ysgol Glanaethwy has been contacted for comment.
‘Songs of Praise is a Christian programme, yet the choir has not been asked to sing’