Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen on church music

Posted on February 1, 2008 
Filed under Australia, News

Archbishop Peter JensenIn response to this ABC Radio PM item (“Archbishop of Sydney ‘vandalising’ Anglican culture”, Wednesday, 30 January 2008) and an article in The Spectator, Archbishop Peter Jensen has released this statement:

“I am disturbed by an attack on the musical tradition of St. Andrew’s Cathedral featured in the Spectator and aired on ABC Radio recently.

No opportunity was given to respond to these remarks before they aired.

There are inaccuracies in the reports about which I will say nothing, but I am compelled to speak to correct the record and to protect the real victims of such an attack, the musicians who do a splendid job, week in and week out, in congregations across Sydney, and not least at our Cathedral, St. Andrew’s.

Under a very fine musical director, Mr. Ross Cobb, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Kings College, London, the range of music at the Cathedral has broadened considerably in the last two years, while retaining the traditional elements many know and love.

Our choir continues as it has done for more than 100 years, backed by our excellent choir school, St. Andrew’s Cathedral School.

New musical groups and ministries have been founded including a brass quintet and a girls choir.

Jazz and contemporary music is flourishing and contemporary settings for Anglican hymns have emerged from the Cathedral ministry.

I rejoice in all these developments as they spring from hearts moved by the Gospel, showing forth in hymns and songs to our Saviour.”