Festival of St Cecilia – St Paul’s Cathedral
17th November 2021St Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, and each year the charity Help Musicians organises a “Celebration of Music” at St Paul’s Cathedral to raise funds to support musicians in need. Given the events of the last 18-months or so, and the devastating effect that Covid has had on the livelihoods of many musicians, their efforts are now especially important. This was my first Festival, and it was an unforgettable experience. The music included specially commissioned pieces, including one written and performed by Dame Evelyn Glennie; the combined voices of the three choirs from St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral were beautiful. The Address was given by Reverend Lucy Winkett, rector of St James’s Piccadilly, who drew on the words of Maya Angelou’s poem Caged Bird - “… the caged bird sings of freedom.” (With apologies, but the attached team photo appears to have been photo-bombed by the Immediate Past Master Chartered Accountant)