REHEARSALS are underway in earnest for the magnificent music which will fill Canterbury Cathedral for the enthronement of Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop on February 27 (Gerry Warren writes).

The event will prove one of the most enjoyable and exciting challenges for the many musicians and singers who will bring the service to life.

They will be heard by a packed Cathedral of 2,300 guests and watched by millions during a live television broadcast around the world.

Overseeing the musical programme is organist and master of choristers, Dr David Flood with the help of assistant organist Matthew Martin.

Dr Flood said: "The music is a vital and required part of the service and should reflect the joyful celebration which is the enthronement.

"Every Archbishop has his own specific musical taste and, perhaps not surprisingly, Archbishop Rowan has requested some Welsh music as part of the programme."

Dr Flood is currently hard at work with the choristers, aged nine to 13. Their contribution, along with the adult voices of the lay clerks, will include Benjamin Britten's Festival Te Deun and a specially commissioned piece by James MacMillan.

The choir of the St Woolos Cathedral in Newport will also perform the same piece, entitled Come My Way, they sang for Dr Williams when he was enthroned Archbishop of Wales.