A conference entitled 'Sounding God's Praise' will take place Saturday 10 November 10, and will mark the first major event to take place in Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral's brand new music centre.

|PIC1|Organisers are inviting everyone involved in church music - from clergy to organists, and from choristers to worship band members - to the event which will involve a mix of talks, workshops, discussion, and a brief act of worship inside Portsmouth Cathedral itself.

The distinguished line-up of speakers includes Noël Tredinnick, director of music at All Souls, Langham Place, in London. He also conducted for the recording of the BBC's 'Songs of Praise' recording at Portsmouth's Anglican Cathedral in 2003 and is maestro of the evangelistic Prom Praise concerts.

Tredinnick will also be talking about how to incorporate contemporary worship into a church's repertoire in a talk entitled 'Blowing the lid off with those trumpets'.

The Rt Rev Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield and chairman of the Liturgical Commission, will speak on 'Christian Celebration: Strictly Come Dancing', an illustration of the different use of how to use hymns within services.

The bishop was formerly a lecturer in theology and Dean of Norwich, and is about to publish two new books - 'Rebuilding Jerusalem' and 'Vocation - Singing the Lord's song in a strange land'.

Andrew Maries, consultant for worship and music in Exeter diocese, will run workshops on how music can engage congregations in worship. He is involved with the Wild Goose Group that publishes Iona music and liturgy, the RC Thomas More Group and the National Songwriters' Forum.

And Andrew Cooper, from Griffiths and Cooper Organ Builders, will give workshops and practical demonstrations on organ restoration, which will interest those restoring or building a church pipe organ.

The conference has been jointly organised by diocesan music adviser Marcus Wibberley and the Portsmouth area of the RSCM.

"This will be a marvellous opportunity for all involved in church music - especially at parish level - to learn about current trends, whether you are involved in organising it, leading it, performing it, maintaining it or developing it," said Wibberley.

For more information please see: www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk