A Northern Requiem: music from our heritage
"I don't think I've ever been to a concert before where so many of the audience have been moved to tears."
Audience Member
A Northern Requiem was written to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the 1984-5 Miners' Strike, a year that left an indelible impact on the town of Chesterfield and the surrounding area.
Composed by RHAC Artistic Director, Jonathan Francis, A Northern Requiem blends together the Requiem Mass with contemporary poetry and picket line chants into an emotionally charged new choral work.
Working with members of the former mining communities, RHAC have crated a piece that celebrates the lives of our community and challenges perceptions of one of the most tumultuous years in our modern history.
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A NORTHERN REQUIEM
LIVE FROM DURHAM CATHEDRAL
Stream or download A Northern Requiem filmed live in Durham Cathedral
This beautifully shot video features the entire Northern Requiem recorded live in Durham Cathedral in September 2025.
All proceeds from this video will go to Rose Hill Arts Centre.
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A Northern Requiem
The ex miners walking slowly down the central aisle with the leading drummer and the banner behind was almost unbearably moving. It struck a chord within us all. Everyone on our row was in tears. We were transported right back to the strike. We were right there, once more. Strong and proud. And never, ever bowed.
— Mal Finch, Composer, Here We Go For the Women of the Working Class
"Glorious...We streamed out of the church, uplifted by all we had heard and seen."
— The Morning Star
