The Sanders Society - News
October 2011: New recording of John Sanders' work
A new CD from Douai Abbey, Catholic Collection III, featuring the Douai Abbey Singers directed by Dr John Rowntree,
and Monks' Schola directed by Dom Alban Hood, has been released. It includes Dr John Sanders
'Missa Beata Maria Virgine', although it's listed on the sleeve as 'Missa Alme Pater'.
'Missa Beata Maria Virgine' was written by Dr Sanders for Douai Abbey,
and published in 2003 by Banks Music Publications.
September 2011:
The Society was determined this year that, despite the rather disappointing quality
of entries for the Composition Competition, the opportunity should not be missed
for maintaining its contribution to the general cathedral and college repertoire.
Accordingly the Society commissioned the very talented young composer Matthew Martin
to compose a setting of the wonderful text from Revelation "And I saw a New Heaven".
Matthew has created a wonderful piece of music entitled "A Song of New Jerusalem"
which has already been performed by Gloucester Cathedral Choir, and which has since
been published to wide acclaim by Faber.
April 23rd 2011: The John Sanders Memorial Competition for Young
Composers 2011
There was a wide field of entries from as far as Taiwan, Russia, Italy and the United
States, as well as from the United Kingdom. The text from the book of Revelation,
"And I saw a New Heaven", was a demanding one, calling for considerable creative
and inventive skill.
However, after careful and painstaking examination and discussion the judges decided
that there was not a single composition which merited this valuable award.
Accordingly the judges have decided not to make the award this year.
November 3rd 2009: We are pleased to announce that The Sanders
Society has achieved charitable status (Registered Charity Number 1132420). This
change in status provide certain tax benefits to the Society, tax relief for subscriptions
and donations (subject to members'/donors' tax status) and will also enhance the
Society's reputation.
Members paying tax in the UK may wish to download the recent Newsletter from the
Members area to print out and complete a Gift Aim form.
September 10th 2009: The Annual General Meeting
of the Sanders Society will take place in the Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral
at 5.15 pm. on Saturday 10th October 2009.
September 10th 2009: There will be a brief Special General
Meeting of the Society in the Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral at
11.15 am. on Sunday 4th October 2009. The purpose of the meeting
will be to ratify the amended Objects of constitution (see below). Once this is
complete, the Charitable Status of The Sanders Society will be assured.
The objects of the charity are:
- To promote the public knowledge and appreciation of the works of Dr John Sanders
by such means as are charitable.
- To advance the education and appreciation of music for the public benefit, in particular
but not exclusively by supporting choral music for the liturgy.
- To advance the education of the public in the subject of the composition of church
music by means of:
- organisation and delivery of a biennial competition for young composers; and
- the encouragement and development of young musicians in their study and work in
maintaining and advancing the cathedral choral tradition.