CREDITON-BASED musical group the West Gallery Quire will be bringing an early 19th century Coronation anthem to life in a workshop at Crediton Parish Church on May 8.

The anthem, “The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord” is the work of Samuel Chapple (1775-1833), who was born in Crediton.  It was composed to celebrate the Coronation of George IV in 1821. 

Chapple lost his sight in childhood as a result of smallpox, and was apprenticed to an organist with the support of the Governors of Crediton Parish Church. 

He became organist of Ashburton in 1795, and held the post for the rest of his life.

Fragments of the Coronation anthem survive in manuscript books of church music which were once used at Cruwys Morchard and are now kept at the Devon Heritage Centre. 

Adapted and shortened versions of the music set to a different text were published in the US and Canada later in the 19th century. 

After a copy of the original published version of the anthem came to light in 2021, the West Gallery Quire learnt it at a workshop in Ashburton in October last year and is now bringing it back to Crediton with a “come and learn” workshop session for singers and instrumentalists on the Coronation Bank Holiday Monday.

Players of brass, orchestral strings and woodwind are invited to take part. 

The workshop will run from 1.15pm, followed by a public sing-through.  It will be £2 on the day with any profits going Crediton Parish Church Endowment Fund.  

If you would like to take part, please email details of your voice or instrument to: [email protected] by Monday,  April 24.