Ripon Cathedral Old Choristers' Association (RCOCA): Activities

The 2010 reunion will be held on Saturday 3rd July to coincide with the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Ripon Cathedral Choir School. 

It is intended that future reunions will take place each year on the first Saturday in July.

Were YOU once a Chorister at Ripon Cathedral?
If so, we would very much like to hear from you.
Please get in touch with our Secretary:

David Suddards
12 Knaresborough Road, Ripon, N. Yorkshire. HG4 1RQ
Email : david3391@taltalk.net

National Festival of The Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers (FCOCA) 2008

Ripon Cathedral was the venue of this National Festival in 1922, 1934, 1957, 1990 and on Friday - Saturday, 4th - 6th July 2008 the RCOCA again hosted this event.

Just under 150 delegates attended from Old Cathedral Choristers’ Associations all over the United Kingdom, and some came from abroad.

The three day event comprised special services, a civic reception at the Town Hall, tours of Ripon City and the cathedral and Thorpe Prebend House, with visits to Ripley Castle and Fountains Abbey. Over the weekend a most interesting exhibition of the history of music was mounted in the cathedral library and old books, manuscripts, photographs and music were on display, including many items which had come to light during researches for the new book ‘Music at Ripon Cathedral’ (see below) which was published to coincide with the Festival.  A grand banquet at the Ripon Spa Hotel on the Saturday evening was attended by the Mayor & the Hornblower and the highly successful RCOCA Festival was concluded on Sunday morning with a Classical Mass with choir and orchestra, and a farewell reception.

Music at Ripon Cathedral 657-2008

This book, which has been authorized by the Dean & Chapter and taken over two years to research and write, gives a fascinating account of the story of music at Ripon Cathedral over 1,350 years.

Commencing with the monastery founded in the heathen village of Rhypum in 657, and its renowned abbot, Wilfrid, the book traces the history of the minster and its music, describing the people and events that have shaped its progress. This is a substantial book (336 pages with 75 illustrations) which is both absorbing to read and equally satisfying and informative to dip into.

All proceeds from sales of this fascinating book support the Ripon Cathedral Music Foundation.

For more information about the book and to purchase a copy click here.

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