SOME readers may know that before stepping into the world of full-time ministry, I was very much a part of the classical music scene. This is the concert season of course, and many listening experiences are on offer during the spring period.

I have sung in several local choirs over the years, but for some time now, I've been fortunate to be a member of the CBSO Chorus, an amateur choir expected to aspire to professional standards.

Just recently, we gave a performance in Birmingham's Symphony Hall, under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, arguably one of the world's greatest conductors. The music was the Saint Matthew Passion by Bach – a dramatic setting of the account of the death of Jesus.

This part of the Easter story – often known as the Passion of Christ – has had a profound impact on many people, believers and sceptics alike. However, for the hundred of us involved in the project, the most astonishing experience was a rehearsal taken by a very famous producer from California – Peter Sellars.

He was determined to add a new dimension to this performance, and took time to explain to the choir exactly what it was we needed to communicate to the audience. Many of the singers have a Christian faith, others do not. Many are familiar with the biblical narrative, but many – especially the younger members – have a limited grasp of the events and characters involved.

We were made to understand in that rehearsal the message which both the gospel writer, Matthew, and the composer, Bach, intended to convey – namely that the cause of Christ's suffering was our wrongdoing.

Peter may be described as a typical drama type – completely over the top, in his appearance, his delivery, even his vocabulary. He shouted at us, he waved his arms about, he leapt up and down – very much like an old fashioned preacher. He pointed his finger at us and yelled 'You guys – you've messed up big time. It was your fault – you put Jesus on that cross – you killed him –it was you'.

Few of us had heard such a powerful sermon in a long time – and this was a choir rehearsal! Why am I telling you about this?

I was challenged to see the impact of the 'greatest story ever told' on the members of the choir, and the concerts themselves were something else. Both performances were completely sold out, and the Symphony Hall seats 2,500 people. The piece lasted three hours, was all in German, and wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs. Yet the audience was very mixed, including families and children and adults of all age groups. People were queuing round the block to hear the pre-concert talk where the work was explained. Of course, Rattle had brought with him the finest soloists in the world, the orchestra was tremendous, and the music of Bach is glorious…..but I believe there is another factor here. As we approach another Easter time, people are searching desperately for truth, for hope, for something to believe in.

The word 'gospel' means good news, and we know that the story of Jesus has a happy ending – but perhaps it is time for all of us to stop and reflect on our guilt, our failure to put the world right, our helplessness, and our accountability before God. Maybe when we understand those things, we will be better able to come before him and ask for forgiveness.

Lieutenant Christine Chadwick is from the Newcastle Salvation Army and these are her own views.