Church music ban sparks unholy row
Composer in dispute with National Musicians’ Church over decision to exclude non-religious song
IT IS seen as a spiritual home by many musicians, and serves as the final resting place for Proms founder Sir Henry Wood, but a London church has become embroiled in a row with one of Britain’s best-known composers after it announced that it would close its doors to choirs and orchestras because their music was not religious.
Now part of a network founded by evangelical church Holy Trinity Brompton, St Sepulchre-without-newgate Church, in Holborn, central London, will stop taking bookings from the classical musicians who have relied on it as a rehearsal and concert venue for many years. The church became part of the evangelical group, which is known for its youth-friendly rock-band style of worship, in 2013. Now resident choristers say they are “concerned that it will become a worship choir with drums and keyboards”.
As well as Sir Henry’s resting place, the church has a book of remembrance for musicians, and has windows commemorating singer Dame Nellie Melba and composer John Ireland. John Rutter, who is known for composing, arranging and conducting choral music, said the decision meant that the church had “betrayed” musicians, many of whom use it as a rehearsal and warm-up space for larger concerts, including the Proms.
He said the timing of the decision was “significant” because of the retirement of Richard Chartres as Bishop of London earlier this year. His successor has not yet been appointed. “Richard Chartres was a great friend of music and he would have been the first to say ‘come on’. But he is gone and so there’s nobody else,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “What this current vicar seems to be saying is that music is OK so long as it’s part of a worship service. The concerts that take place in just about every church in the land, they’re not OK, and rehearsals are not OK either. That flies in the face of the Anglican tradition.” In a letter sent to groups that used the church regularly, the priest in charge, the Reverend David Ingall, said the church had become “conscious of the challenges of using a space dedicated to worship for nonreligious hiring”. Mr Rutter said Mr Ingall was “betraying the community that he purports to serve. He didn’t have to take the job at a musicians’ church if he didn’t like musicians. The Church of England needs all the friends it can get. It
‘The Church of England needs all the friends it can get. It shouldn’t be making enemies – it’s unchristian’
shouldn’t be making enemies – it’s unchristian. Churches are, and should be, busy places where all can walk through the door and all are welcome. That’s my feeling but it’s obviously not his.”
A petition against the change, started by choir member Richard Robbins, has attracted almost 1,900 signatures.
Peter Foggitt, director of the Orlando Chamber Choir, which had a booking to use the church next year, said: “Is having a church that is silent a better demonstration of what the church believes and what it’s there for than having a church full of people making music?”
In a statement, a spokesman for the church said: “An increasingly busy programme of worship and church activities has led to ever higher demands on the church space. We wish to reiterate that we remain committed to our ministry as the National Musicians’ Church.” He added: “In the coming weeks, we will reflect and pray, and consult with members of the musicians’ community about how best to fulfil that ministry moving forward.”