Songs of Praise to be recorded at Southwark Cathedral

"When the BBC approached the dean and chapter to ask whether they could record two editions of Songs of Praise at Southwark Cathedral we were delighted and of course said 'Yes please'," says sub dean Canon Andrew Nunn.

"There are seats available for members of churches and choirs and we are hoping for a good mix of enthusiastic singers from local churches in and around Southwark. You don't need to be an Anglican or go to church regularly."

The recording on Tuesday 14 April (7pm-10pm) will be for two programmes to be broadcast on BBC One in September 2009 and January 2010.

There are two ways to get involved. Singers can join a special SATB Songs of Praise 'combined choir' which will have an extra rehearsal (Monday 6 April) and will lead the congregation and viewers at home from seats in the nave. There are also seats for others who are not singers but would enjoy taking part in the recordings.

Members of the combined choir are required to attend on Monday 6 April, Monday 13 April and Tuesday 14 April.

The congregation is required on Tuesday 14 April. You are warmly encouraged to attend the rehearsal on Easter Monday but this is not essential.

Admission is free and tickets can be requested by contacting Rose Harding on 020 7367 6704 or [email protected]

You can also request choir and congregation tickets directly from the BBC. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 March.

All applicants will be contacted in March with confirmation of their tickets as space is limited.

The Songs of Praise recording is on Easter Tuesday. Two days earlier BBC One will broadcast the Easter Sunday Choral Eucharist live from the cathedral at 10am.

Songs of Praise was recorded at Southwark Cathedral in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury. The programme also visited Southwark in 1985.