A Japanese Tenor's Cathedral Challenge
Yanagiya Choir Academy It has begun.
Living the daily round of British cathedral music.
From 12 September I join the choir of Worcester Cathedral as a volunteer lay clerk, singing at the Saturday and Sunday services.
The latest is always in the newsletter.
Watch
The days we sang, and the day we climbed.
Two short films from Edinburgh: the week with the cathedral choir, and the single free day that followed it.
RSCM Residentiary Choir 2026 (2 min 32 s)
Seven days with the choir of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. The music in the second half is Ubi caritas by Ko Matsushita, as we sang it at the closing Eucharist. More photographs in the Residentiary Choir 2026 gallery.
Arthur's Seat — 48 minutes from the city centre (3 min 53 s)
One free day between the end of the choir week and the move south. An extinct volcano, some 300 million years old, reached on foot from the Royal Mile. More photographs in the Arthur's Seat gallery.
Newsletter
A Japanese Tenor's Cathedral Challenge
Free to join, and easy to leave at any time. Please note the letter is written in Japanese.
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
Gallery
Scenes from the journey.
The road so far, in photographs. Tap through to see each gallery in full.
Timeline
Here's how far we've come.
Last updated: 14 September 2026
2 AugustSang with the RSCM Residentiary Choir at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. Residentiary Choir 2026 ↗
AugustStayed in Cambridge and visited the college chapels. A Cambridge College Tour ↗
3 SeptemberStayed in Coventry and visited the cathedral. Coventry Cathedral ↗
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
19–20 SepSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
26–27 SepSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, EvensongWFCS: Mon 28, AGM
3–4 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
10–11 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Judiciary Evensong
17–18 OctSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist
19 Oct – 1 NovChoir half-term breakWFCS: Fri 23 Oct, Quiz Night / Mon 26 Oct, no rehearsal / Mon 2 Nov, Open Rehearsal
7–8 NovSat: Evensong / Sun: Remembrance Service, Remembrance Sunday Requiem
14–15 NovSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
21–22 NovSun: Eucharist, EvensongWFCS concert: Sat 21, 7.30pm, Worcester Cathedral — Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Copland Appalachian Spring
29 NovSun: Eucharist, Advent Procession
5–6 DecSat: Evensong / Sun: Eucharist, Evensong
12–13 DecNo cathedral servicesWFCS concert: Sat 12, 7.30pm, Worcester Cathedral — Handel Messiah
17–19 DecThu 17: Carol Service / Sat 19: 'Tidings of Joy' Christmas Concert
22–25 DecTue 22 & Wed 23: Carol Service / Thu 24: Midnight Mass / Fri 25: Christmas Day Eucharist
2–3 JanNew Year. Dates to be confirmed.
9–10 JanSun: the Epiphany service
Scroll inside the box to see what came before and what lies ahead. Future dates may change.
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