The Priory Singers made their final appearance under the direction of their founder, Dr. Harry Grindle, on Sunday 15 June  at Bangor Abbey where they sang Evensong at 3.30pm. accompanied by Phillip Elliott, until recently  the organist at Hillsborough Parish Church.  The music  was largely by composers who have been associated with  Bangor Abbey over the years.

The preacher at Evensong was The Rt. Rev Edward Darling, former Bishop of Limerick and the collection will be in aid of the Henrietta Moran Fund for Young Musicians.  Refreshments were served afterwards in the Parish Hall.

It is appropriate that this event should have taken place at the Abbey since it was there that Dr. Grindle's musical career began in the 1940s when he became a chorister. He also received his first organ lessons from Mr. R Huston Graham who was the organist at Bangor Abbey 1950-55.  When Dr. Grindle was invited to contribute to the recent BBC series, My Place, he chose to speak about the Abbey  which he has always regarded as his spiritual home. 

Having made their debut in June 1986, the Priory Singers rapidly established themselves as one of the country's leading chamber choirs. Their extensive repertoire includes music of all periods and their programmes  frequently feature less familiar works as well as pieces specially written for them by local composers. They have broadcast regularly on radio and television (BBC and RTE) and have made numerous appearances throughout Ireland.  They have also undertaken summer residencies at some of the English cathedrals- Hereford (1993 & 2000), Exeter (1995), Lincoln (2003), Gloucester (2005),  and Chichester(2007).  They sang at Bath Abbey in August 2006. Their CDs, which have attracted unanimously enthusiastic reviews, have been selling well both at home and abroad.   

The 27 members of the choir, from as far afield as Tempo, Coleraine, Limavady, Portadown, Portavogie and Dungannon., included heads of music in several schools and church organists, as well as barristers, accountants, civil servants, nurses, bank officials and an organ-builder.   They clocked-up about 2000 miles to attend the weekly rehearsal in Belfast.

A former head of music at Stranmillis College, Dr. Grindle held the position of director of music at St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast 1964-75 where, despite the effects of the infamous "Troubles," high musical standards were maintained.
His  "distinguished  services  to  the  music  of  the  Church"  have  been  recognised  by  his  election  to  an

Associateship of the Royal School of Church Music(1977) and by the conferment on him of the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music by the Archbishop of Canterbury (2005).  He is the first Irish musician to have received these awards. He has an increasing number of published liturgical compositions to his credit and his book on Irish Cathedral Music is widely recognised as the definitive work on the subject.