Singing with Durham Cathedral: exploring the relationship between architecture and singing

Singing in Durham Cathedral requires a deep, embodied understanding of its unique acoustic properties. Unlike other cathedrals, the long reverberation times make singing without prior knowledge nearly impossible, necessitating a symbiotic relationship between singers and the building. This study reveals that the music performed in Durham Cathedral has evolved through material engagement, where singers develop an intuitive awareness of the architecture's traits to achieve desired sounds during services. The research argues that worship in such spaces is not merely a performance but a collaborative act with the cathedral itself, shaped by its physical characteristics and the singers' embodied knowledge.

Calvert, A. J. (2019). Singing with Durham Cathedral: exploring the relationship between architecture and singing. The Senses and Society, 14(3), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/17458927.2019.1663659