Increasing the number of Sung Masses at Bedford
We are very pleased to announce that we are increasing the number of Sung Masses at Bedford! A few weeks ago Matthew Schellhorn kindly sang and played the organ at our 8.30 Mass. The FSSP is pleased to announce that he has accepted the invitation to sing and play on two Sundays a month outside of July and August.
Matthew has been involved in Sacred Music for all of his life. From 2013–15 he was the first Director of Music for the International Federation Una Voce, during which time he served as Moderator of the Sacred Music Sub-Committee. More recently, between 2017–18 he was Associate Director of Music at St Dominic’s Priory, Haverstock Hill, and continues as Director of Music for the celebrations according to the 1962 Missal at St Anne Line, South Woodford. Since 2015 he has been Director of Music for London of the Latin Mass Society, where in that capacity and with his professional group Cantus Magnus he provides the music for the monthly Masses organised by Juventutem London and for the Sacred Triduum held at St Mary Moorfields, London. His other work includes giving recitals and recording as a pianist, examining for ABRSM, and teaching in Cambridge where is a member of the Faculty of Music. He currently lives in London with his wife, Benna, and their two sons, Ferdinand and Caspar.
Matthew’s involvement with us will be to play the organ and sing on the third Sunday of each month plus one additional Sunday. The dates of those additional Sundays will be chosen with an eye to important celebrations such as the feast of Christ the King and the annual November Requiem for war dead. Our schola, led by Katherine Smith, will continue to sing on First Sundays.
As we look forward to welcoming Matthew, our thanks goes to Katherine and our schola for their ongoing commitment and hard work. After the week before last, they can now pride themselves in saying that they have sung a Pontifical Mass!
Over time Matthew hopes to get to know Christ the King’s parishioners and explore how his musical contribution to the life of our apostolate in Bedford can organically grow and develop.
October 2015: Matthew Schellhorn is introduced to The Most Reverend Archbishop Pozzo (then Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei). Photograph by Joseph Shaw.
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