On Saturday 27 October, over 125 singers gathered in the Cathedral for a workshop given by John Bell from the Iona Community. The event was part of the cathedral’s InHarmony Project to resource and equip parish churches in music for worship.

John is a composer and musician with an international ministry, whose passion is to see congregations find their voice. The Iona Community’s musical worship is distinctive in its sound; simple but effective and steeped in the words of the Bible.

John’s particular skill is in enabling congregations to sing in harmony with ease, and this was demonstrated at the cathedral, both in the workshop and in the service which followed. Great enthusiasm was evident from the outset, and many participants said that they were delighted to discover new ideas, and to be given confidence in their own singing.

Richard Hubbard, leader of the InHarmony Project, hopes to follow up the event with further workshops to help people introduce Iona material to their congregations.