Voices and glasses will be raised at Christ Church Cathedral’s Beer & Hymns singalong event on Friday, June 7.
The spirited celebration, starting at 7:30 p.m., mimics a fun-filled format “sweeping North America and Europe by storm,” the church said in a press release.
“This is the first time we have intentionally combined hymn singing with a bar serving beer and wine,” director of music Donald Hunt told Black Press. Hunt said people often appreciate having social time over a drink before coming together with the orchestra.
“With Beer and Hymns, we’re trying to capture that secret sauce, while giving people who may not be regular church-goers a chance to experience the rush of communal singing together in a beautiful space, accompanied by BC’s best pipe organ.”
The Gothic Cathedral’s concession stand will be stocked with beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for purchase for the fundraising event, with entry by donation.
While many people wouldn’t associate drinking beer and going to church, Hunt said cathedrals have a long history as the crossroad of the sacred and secular.
“European cathedrals in medieval times were an indoor extension of the market square – they were common ground for everyone. If we look a bit later to Victorian England, we see that the natural place to sing Christmas carols is not in churches, but down the street in the local pub. And what about those Trappist monks who brew beer? Don’t try to tell me that they never sang a hymn under the influence… Ultimately, sharing a drink together and singing together are both important ways that humans socialize and build the bonds of community.”
Hymns sung will span a mix of traditional (like “Amazing Grace”) as well as more recently composed ones (like the well-known spiritual “Down by the Riverside”).
People can also bid to ensure their favourite hymn gets included in the setlist.
But no matter how familiar one is with hymns, Hunt said there will be something for everyone.
“Hymns are designed for communal singing … anyone can pick up the tune after a verse or two and join in the fun and joy.”
Christ Church Cathedral, located at Quadra and Rockland, is one of Canada’s largest churches. Learn more about Beers & Hymns at christchurchcathedral.bc.ca.
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