MASS OF ST. THOMAS

This has become a popular congregational setting.   The Gloria was commissioned in 1985 by David Stancliffe whilst Provost of Portsmouth. It was specifically written to encourage congregational participation and to display the talents of the very fine soprano line of the Cathedral’s Voluntary Choir. The Gloria was originally written in D flat, a far more user friendly key at 9.30 in the morning!  It was a year later before the setting was completed and adopted for large scale events within the Portsmouth Diocese.

There was no intention for the setting to be published, but the then Provost, David Stancliffe, felt that its success in the Cathedral should be shared by a wider congregation. An SATB version with a number of additional acclamations  was eventually published in 1995, but the recording made by Neil Taylor and the Norwich Cathedral Girls’ Choir on the disc ‘Music for the Eucharist’ is a true reflection of the composer’s original intention.

The 2019 reprint uses the Common Worship text. Copies are available from the Distributor, Culver Music, http://www.culvermusic.com/contact-us.html . Moreover, the RSCM shop is usually well stocked https://www.rscmshop.com.  Purchase details can be found by inserting the relevant information within the Search Area situated on the right hand side of the Home Page.  

Since 2020, movements of the setting should be reported to the CCLI when appropriate. Enquiries relating to the CCLI in the UK including streaming can be e-mailed to the organization using the link https://uk.ccli.com/what-we-provide/faq/.

In the light of COVID 19 the setting was recorded by St.Martin’s Voices under the direction of Andrew Earis. The full SATB version of the Gloria can be heard below.

Listen to the Gloria.

More recently, there have been a number of requests regarding permission to incorporate the music into congregational service books. Information regarding copying should still be addressed to the Distributor.  Direct contact with the composer would serve as an alternative.

Nevertheless, personal typesetting or any form of re-arrangement may only be undertaken by permission of the composer.