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Kathryn Crosweller Tells Us Why Performing Taize In Bristol's Oldest Place Of Worship Was Special!

Kathryn Crosweller's music has been described as a 'rich tapestry of ecumenical devotion to God', but following a week in the Taize community as a teenager she has a proven passion for the beautiful chants and melodies of the community's music.

How fitting that she recently performed the monastic Taize songs and chants at Bristol's oldest building, which has its roots in monastic tradition. She tells us about the very special evening...

(PICTURES: KATHRYN'S PERFORMANCE, CHRIST AT ST JAMES PRIORY, KATHRYN, GLASTONBURY ABBEY)

Kathryn please tell us about your recent concert at St James Priory in Bristol?

The concert was absolutely beautiful! I've performed at lots of venues in the past, and this one was definitely up there with the best - the atmosphere, the audience, the presence of God - it was all stunning. There were Christians there from across Bristol as well as residents at the St James Priory Project, which serves to provide accommodation for those struggling with addiction. It was a real honour to have so christ_at_the_priory many people there to hear me sing! It was such an all round good experience, I'm considering deleting my YouTube videos and replacing them with ones from last night, to share it with everyone!

Why did you choose to have the concert at this special place - the oldest building in Bristol?

I visited St James Priory a few years ago for a Taizé service organised by a friend of mine, and have always wanted to go back and sing in the church. The acoustics and feeling of the church are absolutely sublime! I also wanted to go to St. James Priory because it is a Catholic church. I am an Anglican but sing and record many Catholic hymns, and it seemed like the perfect place to venture into Bristol from! It was a great chance to embrace the ecumenism I aim for in my music.

Do you feel that Taizé and the songs you sing is very close to the ethos of St James Priory - Compassion, acceptance, respect and empathy?

Absolutely. The essence of the Beatitudes - what I consider to be simplicity, humility and love - are central to my understanding of Christianity, and I think that they are also central to St. James Priory's approach. It's hard to put these things into practice in everyday life, but the positive ethos of the Priory creates a wonderful space to experience them.

Was it a special evening - what was on your playlist?

This evening's concert was a bit different from others in that it included a lot more chants and a lot more audience participation. I had a few songs from both of my albums in the playlist as well as three Taizé chants. The audience was great - they really sang with their hearts and souls, and it made the whole evening come alive! The highlight for many people, from what they told me, was the final song. I sang 'I Watch the Sunrise' which is one of the most popular hymns in Britain, after kathryn_crossweller

each person in the church lighting a candle to symbolise the light of God being close to them, as the song describes. I sang to my incredibly talented pianist, Joe Miles', accompaniment and it was a really blessed experience.

Did you feel that God spoke to you and the people there through your performance?

Most definitely. So many people came and spoke to me at the end of the concert and I've had two invitations to go to sing at other churches in Bristol, which is such an honour!

The reason that I sing is really about the feeling of peace and serenity that I get when I sing. It's hard to put into words, but it's like I sing a song or a chant and feel a stillness settle upon me. When I finish singing I sometimes feel so peaceful that it's hard to do anything but sit in that peace. I think that any time I experience an intensity of God's presence like that it is a real blessing, and I felt that at the concert at St. James Priory. It was exquisite.

Will you be playing there again?

I would love to! The lady I had been speaking to about the concert, Susan, was a really lovely person and she was so happy at the end of the evening, so hopefully it will happen in the future. I'd love to go back and sing there again!!

What are your forthcoming performances?

I'm actually going to stay in Taizé for a week from 5 August, but when I come back Glasto_abbey

I'm due to be singing at a team service in Muchelney where I did a concert in March, I've got a wedding in Weymouth coming up and I'm hoping to go into a local prison, Erlestoke, in the near future to sing with the prisoners. Then, as I mentioned to you last time we spoke, I will be at 'A Night at the Abbey' in Glastonbury on 7th September. It's so great to be welcomed to such a variety of venues!

Anything you want to add?

Thank you for your continued support!! It's so lovely to be in touch with what other Christians around Bath are up to, and it's a real privilege to be able to speak to so many through Springboard Bath.

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