Festival of Faith and Music planned for April 2024

The Church Times Festival of Faith and Music is a brand-new venture, created in partnership with the prestigious RSCM. Working closely with York Minster, the event will offer a stimulating programme of music and worship, talks and workshops in the wonderful city of York. The aim has been to put together a weekend that celebrates church music in all its glory – and that will send delegates home encouraged, inspired and equipped with new, and practical ideas.

The event will be held in York from 26 to 28 April, 2024. There will be an exciting and engaging range of speakers, discussions, and workshops, including a keynote speech by the Archbishop of York, and special services held in York Minster. Other sessions include a choice of workshops on subjects as diverse as taking your church choir into the community, using music to support your church’s engagement with dementia, caring for a pipe organ, choosing hymns, and growing the church younger through music. We’ll also have the chance to hear from two top-flight professional singers: James Gilchrist and Andrea Haines, both of whom began their singing lives in parish church choirs. This event is for clergy, music leaders, and those with a general interest in sacred music. It aims to be a source of celebration, inspiration, encouragement, and resource. Discounts will be available to RSCM members and Church Times subscribers. The Festival programme runs largely on the Friday and Saturday – but with a chance to enjoy the splendour of York Minister on the Sunday.

Building on our many years’ experience running our Festivals of Preaching and of Faith and Literature we’re delighted to be adding this new event to our stable. Over the weekend there will be a rich menu of interesting sessions, delivered by some excellent speakers. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming festival-goers to York for what should be a very stimulating couple of days.

Sarah Meyrick (Church Times) Festival Director

I am delighted that we are working together with the Church Times to put on this new Festival. Music is such an important part of worship, and we have put together a wide range of sessions on topics which we hope will appeal to music leaders, clergy leaders, and church music lovers alike. I am sure it will be a really engaging and interesting weekend and am myself already looking forward to attending.

Hugh Morris (Director, RSCM)

Find out more on the Faith and Music website.