In common with most English Cathedrals and greater Churches, the Parish Church of Leeds (St Peter-at-Leeds) sustains choral services on weekdays as well as Sundays. This is a tradition dating back over a century and a half to the building of the present Church in 1841. It is expensive of energy and commitment, as well as in terms of finance. The Choir is maintained without the advantages of a resident chorister school or substantial financial endowments, and the Organ (one of the finest in Britain) requires regular maintenance to keep it in good order.
The Friends of the Music of Leeds Parish Church was founded in 1951 specifically to assist in the challenge of sustaining the musical tradition as a resource for worship, and to support the presentation of concerts and recitals.
The choral and musical foundation, together with the maintenance of the organ, costs in excess of
£40,000 each year. Besides the valued and vital financial support of individual Friends of the Music, the Choir is generously sustained by regular giving from charities and trusts - notably from The Friends of Cathedral Music, the Ouseley Trust, the Trustees of Wade's Charity and, especially, the Pilling Trust.
But it is the Friends of the Music themselves who provide important and significant support in other directions too - by attendance at the many special services held each season, and through interest in and commitment to the activities of the choir outside the Church within the City and the wider community.
In addition, the Friends have launched an Appeal for £500,000 to underpin the long-term financial security of the choral foundation. The aim is to raise funds that can be used to provide an endowment for the choir (for example to provide scholarships). This
will supplement the support of the day-to-day running expenses of the choir from the Friends' subscription income.
Once a year in the autumn, there is a special Friends' Festival service, normally with a sermon by a visiting cleric or musician. The Annual General Meeting of the society is held in Spring, when the formal business of electing officers and approving the accounts is undertaken.
All Friends receive a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts, and a letter is sent to everyone at least once each term giving details of activity and special events. Friends receive a personal invitation to the Annual Choristers' Prizegiving and Entertainment and similar functions.