Recently, the College’s Chamber Choir led evensong at one of the country’s most historic venues for sacred music-making, Winchester Cathedral. The choir sung with the local congregation in the evening worship with Thomas Tallis’ Responses, psalm chanting, Vaughan Williams’ ‘Magnificat’ and ‘Nunc Dimitis’ and Edward Elgar’s nostalgic ‘Ave Verum’.
Earlier on in the day, the choir were given a special VIP tour of the Cathedral, which hosts the country’s oldest original, intact choir stalls, dating back to the 15th century. Speaking after the service, Harry White, Curriculum Manager for Musical Performance said, “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to lead an ancient religious service, at whose heart is the power of music to inspire and uplift. Introducing Chamber Choir to evensong has been one of the most important things that the music department has achieved and their professionalism in directing such a complex service was outstanding.”
Organist Peter Beaven spoke enthusiastically about the choir, “I thought they sang incredibly well and brought great credit to the College and to the music department. They sang with enormous conviction and confidence. It’s quite a big ask and they not only rose to the challenge, they exceeded it. They sounded like they’d sung in that building hundreds of times!”
Second year student Rhiannon Pooley said, “This was a unique opportunity to sing evensong in such an inspiring and prestigious venue; a new context for most of us. It was an inspiring day and one we’ll all remember!”
