Savonrola is no doubt getting all excited over this one

The Sunlit Uplands, whom my esteemed blogging colleague Waldo has so cleverly nick-named Savonrola, will no doubt have his fancy tickled by this:

England's famed Canterbury Cathedral Choir, one of the oldest choruses in the world, will visit the U.S. for the first time in 10 years. Its nine-city tour was organized primarily to raise money for critical and costly restoration work. The cathedral structure has deteriorated dramatically due to years of benign neglect, and it requires repairs to its walls, towers, roof, organ and historic stained-glass windows, say organizers.

The goal is to raise the equivalent of $90 million over 10 years, according to Capers Cross, organist and choirmaster at St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Cross is responsible for securing the choir's visit to Charleston.

"If American churches don't step up to the plate, I don't know where they're going to get the money," he said.

The Canterbury Cathedral Choir is led by David Flood and consists of 12 professional adult male singers and 30 boy choristers ages 8-13 who attend St. Edmund's School in Canterbury. Young choir members receive a scholarship toward their education and boarding at the Choir House on cathedral grounds. The choir sings at services six days a week and at special events, performing music from the 13th century to the present.

Premium seats for the 3 p.m. April 19 concert cost $75, which includes an invitation to a reception following the event. Other tickets are $25 and $10 (restricted view). Tickets can be purchased at www.dioceseofsc.org or at the St. Luke & St. Paul office. Call 722-7345.

The Group will be in town for the Charleston International Choir Festival. What'll really get Savonrola moist is the fact that they'll be performing in a Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina Church - a diocese who's previous and current Bishop have share no love loss for the national Episcopal Church and Conference and who have been making overtures towards the GAFCON and Southern Cone folks.

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