Interesting article on the BBC website today about Decca searching for the right group of nuns to hit the bigtime . According to one exec:

“When you hear the sound of nuns chanting, it’s like an immediate escape from the challenges, stresses, pace and noise of modern living. “

Decca is hoping to be as successful as this as they were with the monks from Stift-Heiliginkreuz - as reviewed by Helen - see our reviews section.

Well, Decca if you’re reading this, I can wholeheartedly recommend Mother Nikola and the community at Minster! They are all excellent singers AND serve great tea too! What’s not to like?

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One of the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz was on BBC Breakfast earlier this year, chatting away with Bill Turnbull (who for once looked actually interested in the person he was interviewing!) about an album of Gregorian Chant they had released. By the end of May the album (called simply ‘Chant’) had made it into to the top 10 on the album chart, narrowly pipped for 8th place by Neil Diamond.

So, what could we possibly do but ask our resident expert musician and experienced chant singer, Helen, to have a listen? See above for her review.

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Very sad news in yesterday’s Times that Dr. Mary Berry, one of the most widely known, inspirational and influential figures in Gregorian Chant has died. We were so sad to hear that, particularly after we had a chance to meet her last year at our autumn workshop. Even though she was ill (and in fact was supposed to be resting in hospital!) she made sure that she came along to see how things were going. A truly amazing person.

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