The Lights of Love Service

The RGSW Chamber Choir attended the St Richard’s Hospices ‘Lights of Love’ Service where people who have used/are using the Hospice can gather in the cathedral to remember or think about relatives.  The Choir support the Hospice by providing the music for the entire event.  As a charity St Richard’s required high quality choral music at a limited expenditure and the School’s Chamber Choir identified this as an area it could help; offering its services for free.  

Aims

The RGSW Chamber Choir attended the St Richard’s Hospices ‘Lights of Love’ Service where people who have used/are using the Hospice can gather in the cathedral to remember or think about relatives.  The Choir support the Hospice by providing the music for the entire event.  As a charity St Richard’s required high quality choral music at a limited expenditure and the School’s Chamber Choir identified this as an area it could help; offering its services for free.  

Background

Following the gradual diminishing of the St Mary’s Convent (who used to provide the music) the then Chairman of the RGSWPA suggested to their contacts at the Cathedral that RGS could do the role well and would be happy to do so. The Chamber Choir has played this role ever since.

Resources

The Chamber Choir practice particular pieces that are fitting for this sort of ceremony.  The ‘Lights of Love’ is used as a remembrance, prayer and fundraising opportunity.  Appoximately 8 members of School staff are used in the Chamber Choir and take part in rehearsal’s prior to and in the event itself.  The School makes no direct financial contribution to the partnership, instead offering it’s time and services. 

Impact

There is no way to provide quantitative assessment of the benefits of this activity however, the qualitative impact is significant. The Cathedral is always full to capacity for the service and the impact on the congregation is evident, with many people visibly moved by the performances. The fact that the Chamber Choir are invited back annually is a testament to the importance for the service that the choir provides.

Pupil Involvement

The Chamber Choir is always approximately 30 pupils strong and consists of pupils from all Year groups.  This said, the majority of the members are Year Ten to Upper Sixth. The Chamber Choir is a mixed gender Choir representative of the School as a whole. 

Frequency

The School has provided the Hospice with this activity for the last four years. The event is annual and it is the School’s intention to maintain this relationship.