Southern Cathedrals Festival (SCF) 2006, the popular annual five day festival of choral music which features the choirs of Chichester, Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals, is hosted by Salisbury Cathedral from 19 - 23 July with David Halls as Festival Director for the first time.

"I am very excited by the prospect of my first SCF.  It has been my privilege to watch the Festival develop over the past 20 years and my colleagues at Chichester and Winchester have helped me put together a dynamic programme which will deliver an exciting and forward looking Festival.  At its heart is the daily round of services that have been central to the Anglican church for centuries, here shared amongst the three cathedral's boys choirs and the girl choristers of Salisbury & Winchester.  The choirs also join together in various combinations for three major concerts, ending with a performance of Mozart's sublime Requiem on the Saturday evening."

SCF 2006 will also showcase young musicians and the impressive music-making which is so much a part of Salisbury's life throughout the year.  David Halls explains:

"I see the future of music being firmly in the hands of the young and decided to acknowledge this by initiating a mini-series within SCF called 'Youth in Music'.  In three short instrumental concerts former pupils of Salisbury Cathedral School who are pursuing careers as professional musicians will perform programmes full of energy and contrast.  In addition one of the South of England's most exciting choirs, Sarum Voices, comprising mainly ex-cathedral choristers, will sing Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and the second performance of Sam Hanson's Requiem.  Sam was Organ Scholar of Salisbury Cathedral last year and is currently studying music at Cambridge.  The Festival also provides a showcase for local musicians including Salisbury Community Choir, whose programme presents an eclectic mix of music, and the Bishop of Salisbury with his period instrument ensemble;  they give concerts in the warm acoustic of St Martin's Church, Salisbury."
David Briggs, one of the world's greatest organists, gives a big screen organ recital as he improvises to the classic 1925 film 'The Phantom of the Opera' on the cathedral's famous Father Willis organ.  Dr Barry Rose, the first Director of Music at Guildford Cathedral and one of the country's most respected choir trainers, puts his philosophy on choir training into practice with the help of the boy choristers of Chichester and Salisbury in a masterclass at St Martin's church. 

David Halls concludes that  "There is something for everyone in SCF 2006 - and it is also possible to attend every event.  From Bach to Bernstein, chamber music to the greatest large-scale works, this will be music of the highest quality.  I look forward to welcoming everyone to this wonderful Festival."

There will be a Festival Club for ticket holders for the duration of SCF 2006, offering a friendly environment for relaxation between events.  Catering will be by Milburns Restaurants.

Tickets for all the concerts are available from Salisbury Playhouse box office, telephone 01722 320333, up to the beginning of the Festival.  Existing and new Patrons have priority booking until 6 May and general booking starts on 7 May.  During the Festival tickets can be bought from the SCF box office at No 33, The Close.  Entry to all services is free.

Booking brochures are available from:
The Department of Liturgy & Music,
Salisbury Cathedral,
33 The Close,
Salisbury SP1 2EJ

telephone 01722 555148 or email: s.flanaghan@salcath.co.uk, as well as Salisbury Playhouse, library, and Tourist Information Centre.

Notes to editors:
David Halls is available for interview about the Southern Cathedrals Festival 2006.  Please contact Sarah Flanaghan, as above.

SCF 2006 booking brochure available upon request. This information can also be
found on the SCF website at: www.southerncathedralsfestival.org.uk