A MASSED gathering of more than 300 choristers from parish churches throughout the Salisbury diocese will meet at Salisbury Cathedral on Sunday, June 22 for an afternoon of choral singing under the inspired leadership of Nigel Groome, organist and director of Music at Beckenham Parish Church and the Royal School of Church Music regional music advisor for the south and south west.

The theme of this year’s festival is Life’s Pilgrimage and includes music by Archer, Batten, Mendelssohn, Stanford and Wilby.

The service explores, in readings and music, the themes of confirmation, marriage, joy, sorrow, death and resurrection.

All are welcome to attend the festival service at 6pm during which a number of the choristers will also receive Dean’s Award or Bishop’s Award medals, which recognise excellence and commitment.

The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group (SDCFG) administers these awards, which will be given on the day by the Dean of Salisbury and the Bishop of Salisbury.

David Halls, director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral, will be the organist.