Expand our choirs
We will expand our Junior, Middle and Youth Choirs to provide even more young people and children with access to a first-rate musical education in a supportive and inspiring environment.
In Tune is our most ambitious music campaign to date and aims to raise £3 million by 2026 to fund the rebuilding of the Cathedral’s famous organ and a variety of exciting initiatives to unlock musical potential and opportunity across the city, county and diocese.
At the heart of Gloucester Cathedral’s rich musical tradition is a belief that music is for everyone. We are committed to offering inclusive musical and singing experiences, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Read on for more information about our ambitious plans and donate today to join a community of supporters that are helping to protect and sustain our musical heritage.
Thank you for your support.
Click here to donate to In Tune"Music has long been a central part of Gloucester Cathedral's mission. It is our duty and our privilege, to safeguard this tradition, so closely intertwined with British culture and heritage. This is why we need your help. We call on our supporters, friends and music lovers to join us in our mission to sustain musical excellence for generations to come. If you feel able to, please donate to help us achieve our goal." - Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester
We are enormously grateful to Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for their support in helping to ensure we build the right foundations for a sustainable future for our music.
We will expand our Junior, Middle and Youth Choirs to provide even more young people and children with access to a first-rate musical education in a supportive and inspiring environment.
We will establish a regular family service, and partner with local schools and charities to host annual 'come and play' workshops.
We will work with partners to introduce educational programmes, allowing young musicians to engage with and learn on our newly restored organ.
We will invest in our Cathedral Choir and Choristers, ensuring that this long-standing tradition of musical excellence and lifelong learning continues for generations to come.
Specialist organ builders at Nicholson & Co Ltd are working hard to build a new organ for the next generation and revitalise the historic 1666 case. Associated with illustrious musicians like Sir Herbert Brewer, John Stafford-Smith and Ivor Novello, it is recognised as one of the most historically significant instruments of its kind in the world.
The new organ will not only inspire future musicians but also engage the wider community through our Organ Academy, further enriching Gloucester Cathedral's world-class music offerings.
Click here for details on the organ specificationPreserve a piece of the Cathedral's heritage by supporting one of our historic organ pipes.
For £25 you can support a 1' pipe
For £50 you can support a 2' pipe
For £100 you can support a 4' pipe
Click here to sponsor a pipeGloucester has a rich and unique musical tradition. Some of the world's greatest composers have stood here and have brought the world's most famous compositions to life.
For centuries, this has been a place where people have come together in worship to glorify God through music. We want to open our doors to the Cathedral's musical excellence, inspiring young people to learn from the best.
Music and our choirs are an essential part of every service, celebration and season. It would be unthinkable to imagine our day-to-day life without them. Discover more about our diverse choir offerings here.
John Stafford Smith (1750-1836) was the son of a Gloucester Organist, was baptised in Gloucester Cathedral on March 30 1750 and was also a chorister. His claim to fame is as the composer of the tune to the Star Spangled Banner. Originally written in 1780 as the anthem of a gentleman’s club, it was adopted as the American National Anthem in 1931, with patriotic words written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key.
Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876) was the grandson of the hymn-writer Charles Wesley and Organist at Gloucester from 1865-1876. He was a sensitive man and at one performance was so moved by the music that he put down his baton and went to sleep He introduced Bach’s St Matthew Passion to the Three Choirs Festival and was a brilliant extemporizer. An enthusiastic angler, it is said he accepted the post at Gloucester because of the nearness of the Severn and its salmon!
Alfred Herbert Brewer (1865-1928) was born in Gloucester and was a chorister. He was Organist from 1897 to 1928. He composed part-songs and an operetta as well as church music. His cantata Emmaus was orchestrated by his friend Sir Edward Elgar. He was knighted in 1926 and made City High Sheriff in 1922.
Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995) was born in Gloucester. He was a chorister and later assistant to Brewer; then Organist from 1928 to 1967. He composed many settings of the canticles. He became CBE in 1961.
For all the latest news, behind-the-scenes updates and musical events and activities, you can read the newsletter in the link below, which is published on a bi-monthly basis.
Latest editionDevelopment Board Members:
Lt Col Andrew Tabor JP – Chairman
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni – Dean of Gloucester
Bridget Barker
Roger Head OBE DL
Mark Hurrell DL
Diana MacKenzie-Charrington
Andrew Mitchell
Simon Probert
Tony Wilton-Steer – Chairman of the Friends of Gloucester Cathedral
Ambassadors:
Dr Loyd Grossman CBE
Trevor Ford
Marc Marot