Yanagiya Choir Academy 柳谷クワイヤー・アカデミーA Japanese Tenor's Cathedral Challenge
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A Japanese Tenor's Cathedral Challenge

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A letter by email, from the daily services of an English cathedral.

Aiming for at least one letter a week

  • What was sung that week, and at which service
  • A photograph taken on the spot
  • Now and then, the small ordinary business of living
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Back numbers on note

Timeline

The road so far

March 2026Stepped down as pastor of Shinsei Kamaishi Church after 19 years of ministry.
20 JulyDeparted Japan for the UK. Arrived in Edinburgh. The Road to Edinburgh ↗
27 July –
2 AugustSang with the RSCM Residentiary Choir at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. Residentiary Choir 2026 ↗
4 AugustClimbed Arthur's Seat, 48 minutes on foot from the centre of Edinburgh. Arthur's Seat ↗
10–20
AugustStayed in Cambridge and visited the college chapels. A Cambridge College Tour ↗
AugustVisited cathedrals and parish churches across England, looking for a place to sing from September. Churches Along the Way ↗
Accepted into the choir of Worcester Cathedral.
21 August –
3 SeptemberStayed in Coventry and visited the cathedral. Coventry Cathedral ↗
3 SeptemberRented a room in Worcester and moved in. To Worcester ↗
Week 1
12–13 SepChoir life begins: singing at the Saturday and Sunday services as a volunteer lay clerk. Choir Life at Worcester ↗Right here, right nowWFCS (Worcester Festival Choral Society, joined as a hobby): rehearsals every Monday evening from 14 Sep
Week 2
19–20 SepSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
Week 3
26–27 SepSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, EvensongWFCS: Mon 28, AGM
Week 4
3–4 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
Week 5
10–11 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Judiciary Evensong
Week 6
17–18 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist
Week 7–8
19 Oct – 1 NovChoir half-term breakWFCS: Fri 23 Oct, Quiz Night / Mon 26 Oct, no rehearsal / Mon 2 Nov, Open Rehearsal
Week 9
7–8 NovSat: Evensong / Sun: Remembrance Service, Remembrance Sunday Requiem
Week 10
14–15 NovSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
Week 11
21–22 NovSun: Eucharist, EvensongWFCS concert: Sat 21, 7.30pm, Worcester Cathedral — Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Copland Appalachian Spring
Week 12
29 NovSun: Eucharist, Advent Procession
Week 13
5–6 DecSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
Week 14
12–13 DecNo cathedral servicesWFCS concert: Sat 12, 7.30pm, Worcester Cathedral — Handel Messiah
Week 15
17–19 DecThu 17: Carol Service / Sat 19: 'Tidings of Joy' Christmas Concert
Week 16
22–25 DecTue 22 & Wed 23: Carol Service / Thu 24: Midnight Mass / Fri 25: Christmas Day Eucharist
Week 17
2–3 JanNew Year. Dates to be confirmed.
Week 18
9–10 JanSun: the Epiphany service

Scroll inside the box to see what came before and what lies ahead. Future dates may change.