A Ceremony of Carols: Recording Released!

We are delighted that the Choristers’ new video recording of Benjamin Britten’s wonderful A Ceremony of Carols has finally been released. You can watch the recording above and we strongly recommend that you take the 20 minutes or so to relish this consummate performance of this exquisite seasonal work and enjoy a moment of calm in this often all-too-busy season!

The recording was made earlier this year with harpist Olivia Jageurs, and the then Acting Director of Music, Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton said:

“One of the joys of a cathedral choir is that it is ever-evolving, as probationers begin their journey and senior choristers move on, often after many years of dedicated service. At this point in the summer term with just a few weeks to go before the end of the Cathedral Choir year, this always feels like the point when the Choristers are at the top of their game.

“I wanted to plan a recording project to capture this transient moment, before the Choir disperse for the summer and a new chapter begins in September. Over the past three evenings, the Choristers have worked incredibly hard recording Britten’s magical A Ceremony of Carols, a piece which they adore.Recording both audio and video, and trying to capture the essence of live performance is a demanding process, but every Chorister rose to the challenge and gave their all.

“It has been a huge pleasure to work with harpist Olivia Jageurs, producer Barry Rose, and sound engineer David Hinitt to create something together which I know will be very special indeed.”

The Choristers’ annual performance around Candlemas of this special piece has become a much-loved fixture in the Cathedral calendar, supporting the work of the Trust. The Choristers next concert performance of A Ceremony of Carols will be on Saturday 1 February 2025. You can book tickets for this live performance via the button below.

Zino wins Composition Competition!

Huge congratulations to Chorister Zino, who has been named CSA Chorister Composer of 2024, having won the junior (under 14) category of the 2024 Choir Schools' Association Composition Competition)!

The competition, in memory of Sir David Willcocks, is a prestigious annual contest that invites any cathedral and chapel choir choristers, as well as young composers at choir schools, from all across the UK to create original musical compositions. There have been many distinguished adjudicators over the decades, including Sir David Willcocks himself. This year's entries were judged by Jonathan and Charlie Willcocks, professional composers/musicians, and the son and grandson of Sir David Willcocks.

Zino's winning composition is a setting of Psalm 111:1-2, 'I will give thanks unto the Lord', for SATB choir and organ. The Cathedral and School are very proud of Zino's great achievement!

https://www.choirschools.org.uk/competition-celebrates-the-work-of-young-composers/

A New Patron

Alexander Hamilton (centre) with the Choristers (February 2024)

We’re delighted to announce that Alexander Hamilton, former Acting Director of Music and Assistant Director of Music, has agreed to become a Patron of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust. Alexander worked tirelessly during his tenure to provide a first-rate experience for the Cathedral Choristers and to support the work of the Trust. The Trust, and the wider Cathedral community, will always be grateful to him for the dedication and skill with which he led the Music Department, during sometimes challenging times. We look forward to welcoming him back to a number of events soon.

You can read more on our Patrons page.

Annual Evensong - 12th October

WCCT Annual Evensong - Saturday 12th October 2022 at 5.15pm (seated by 4.55pm)

The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust Annual Evensong was on Saturday 12 October 2022 at 5.15pm at Wells Cathedral. This is always a wonderful occasion at which we celebrate the work of the Trust and give thanks for all those who make its invaluable work possible. 50% of the collection taken at the service is passed to WCCT and put to good use, making choral training open to many more promising young singers.

If you were unable to attend but would like to make a donation to support the work of the Trust please click here.

Visit from our Royal Patron

We are delighted that HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO, in her capacity as Patron of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust, attended a concert in Wells Cathedral at 7pm on September 25th given by The Drakensberg Boys Choir. They were joined for this special performance by the Wells Cathedral Choristers and the musicians and singers of Wells Cathedral School.

This was a wonderful occasion and a magnificent opportunity for these young musicians to perform together. This special event raised funds for the Drakensburg Boys Choir. .

Choristers join forces with top South African Choir

Wednesday 25th September
7.00 - 8.30pm
Wells Cathedral

The mission of the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) is to prepare boys for life and leadership through excellence in music, academics, sports, and social enrichment in a Christian environment. Life at DBCS builds character and moulds and develops boys to harness the gift of music to bring hope, impact, and positive change in South Africa and beyond. DBCS offers a unique, complete, and diverse schooling experience that will forever change the life of every student, or Drakie boy as they are affectionately known, by being part of this centre of excellence. DBCS builds resilience, grows relationships, and fosters global ambassadors with music as the tool for God’s glory.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir will be joined for this special performance by the Choristers of Wells Cathedral Choir and the musicians and singers of Wells Cathedral School.

Former Chorister Returns for Fundraising Concert

Former Wells Cathedral Girl Chorister, Sophie Gallagher, and current Bass Vicar Choral, William Drakett, are joining together to perform what promises to be an evening of glorious German Romantic Song. Performing in the intimate space of the North Transept of Wells Cathedral, Sophie and William will perform a programme of German art songs and arias, including Beethoven’s glorious song cycle To The Distant Beloved. They will be joined by accomplished pianist, Edward Picton-Turbevill.
 
Now a freelance soprano performing across Europe, after leaving Wells, Sophie pursued her studies at the Royal College of Music in London and then at the Haute École de Musique in Geneva. William Drakett studied singing at the Robert Schumann Conservatoire in Düsseldorf, following organ and harpsichord studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Both Sophie and William have a particular love of the art song repertoire and are looking forward to exploring this with the audience at Wells.
 
We are delighted that Sophie and William are generously giving the concert in aid of The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust. All profits will go towards supporting the choristers at Wells Cathedral and ensuring that no child is denied this opportunity for financial reasons.
 
We do hope you can join us for what promises to be a very special evening. Tickets are £15 and can be booked via the button below. 

Celebrating 30 Years of Girl Choristers

Last weekend’s celebrations and reunion to mark the 30th Anniversary of Girl Choristers at Wells were a great success and it was wonderful to welcome back so many former choristers.

The day began with a Reception and Brunch for all the former Girl Choristers attending. There was a real sense of celebration in the air as we began to mark this special anniversary. Old friends were reacquainted and memories and old stories shared and relived. It was a room full of joy and laughter!

Some former choristers then joined tours of the Cathedral School. For many, the school has changed substantially since their Choristers days with new boarding houses and of course the wonderful facility that is Cedars Hall.

In the afternoon, the reunion expanded to include many former boy choristers and all joined together to form a Reunion Choir. This group of singers soon demonstrated themselves to be in fine voice as they rehearsed with Alexander Hamilton. After a break for refreshments in the Quilter Hall, the Reunion Choir joined the Cathedral Choir for rehearsal. It was very moving to hear and see these former Choristers joining with their contemporary counterparts and it was quickly apparent that the Celebration Evensong was to be a very special service indeed.

The Cathedral Nave was filled to capacity with many honoured guests amongst the congregation. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant was represented by Thomas Sheppard DL, and The Duchess of Edinburgh (the WCCT’s Royal Patron) had previously given her apologies as the Girls30 celebration clashed with the King’s birthday!

As the service began, we were treated to the world premiere of Joanna Marsh’s anthem, A Garland of Praise, which was specially commissioned for the anniversary by Cathedral Commissions. The uplifting setting of words by 13th century mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg was beautifully sung by the massed voices and set us up for the choral treats in store. The canticles were Dyson’s setting in D, and the unbridled sense of joy in the Magnificat was something awesome to hear! This was followed by Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens, a paen of praise to music that sets a text by Milton. The choirs’ performance was powerfully moving and the work culminates in words that thoroughly befitted the occasion:

O may we soon again renew that song,
And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long
To His celestial concert us unite,
To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light.

Following the service, the former choristers gathered with family, friends and members of the wider Music Foundation for a celebratory reception in Cedars Hall. Everyone gathered was also treated to a short recital given by two former girl Choristers – established operatic soprano, Meeta Raval, and current RCM opera student, Madeleine Perring – which was followed by speeches given by some of the special guests attending, each of whom addressed the success of the Girl Choristers at Wells and of the importance of preserving this wonderful opportunity for all talented children, as the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust seeks to do. The celebrations continued over drinks as all reflected on a wonderful day and an anniversary well celebrated.

St John Passion: an Exquisite Performance

On Saturday night we were treated to a truly breathtaking performance of Bach’s timeless St John Passion in the work’s tercentenary year. Alexander Hamilton conducted the choir and orchestra with great poise and sensitivity in what was a profoundly moving concert. From the initial impact of the opening chorus Herr, unser Herrscher, the Choristers excelled themselves, delivering a committed and passionate performance that drew high praise from all those assembled, including members of the excellent period Réjouissance Ensemble, who have performed this work many times before with many other choirs, and who were extremely impressed with the Choristers’ singing.

The Chorister assembled before the performance with soloists Kieran White (former Wells Head Chorister) and Neal Davies (WCCT Patron) and Director of Music, Alexander Hamilton

It was a real highlight to welcome back tenor Kieran White, a former Wells Head Chorister, who sang the part of the Evangelist. The exquisite clarity of his voice brought the story to life and he held the audience throughout the performance with his effortless dexterity and impassioned communication of the narrative. Renowned Bass-Baritone and Patron of the WCCT, Neal Davies sang the role of Christus with a real sense of gravitas, his rich sonorous voice filling the Nave. Kieran and Neal were joined by Vicar Choral William Drakett as Pilate, and he in turn sang with wonderful fullness but sweetness of tone.

The solo arias were all sung by members of the Choir. Choristers Estella and Petra were astounding as they delivered their complex arias with a maturity of performance beyond their years. Thomas deserves great credit too for his step-out role. The audience were clearly captivated by them all.

Vicars Choral Natalie Manning and Simon Clulow performed the two alto arias; Alexander Jenkins (current Choral Scholar) and Oscar Golden-Lee (a returning former Choral Scholar, now a busy professional singer with Apollo 5 and other groups) sang the tenor arias; Lukas Russell (current Choral Scholar) delivered the part of Peter; and William Drakett sang the bass arias. Each throughly deserved the heartfelt applause they received at the end of the concert.

Having given the soloists due praise, it must also be said that other highlights were often the many expressive choral moments, the Choir performing their various parts with powerfully characterful singing. As an ensemble, they moved from convincingly playing the part of the mocking, taunting and angry crowd or mob – singing with appropriate nastiness in choruses such as Weg, weg or when mocking Jesus in Sei gegrüßet – to singing with harrowing beauty in the final chorus Ruht wohl, in which every line was exquisitely shaped. All this is no doubt testament to Alexander Hamilton’s careful rehearsal and direction.

The performance ended with a profound silence before an outpouring of rapturous applause from the audience gathered under the Peace Doves exhibition that is currently installed in the Nave. Bach chooses not to end his Passion with the tragic beauty of the final chorus but on a note of tremendous optimism with a chorale which, in the troubled times in which we live, must have resonated with many in the audience: “Wake me then from death, so that my eyes see you in all joy.”

With many thanks for Jason Bryant for the extra photos

A Celebratory Royal Visit

The Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust was honoured to welcome our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO to Wells yesterday. Her Royal Highness visited the new WCCT office and attended a special lunch to celebrate the Trust’s latest special fundraising initiative, the Coronation Fund.

Her Royal Highness and the Lord-Lieutenant, Mohammed Saddiq, were met by Arnold Wills, Chairman, at the door to Polydor House where the new WCCT office is now located. Mr Wills escorted Her Highness into the office to meet Ms Hannah Candlin, Clerk to the Trustees, and Ms Hannah Unwin, Administration Assistant, as well as the Cathedral School’s Bursar, Mr Robert McCartney, and Director of Music, Mr Alex Laing. The Duchess was shown around the new office which includes posters for past WCCT fundraising events as well as a lovely sequence of photographs of choristers from across the years.

The party then moved on to the Drawing Room of Cedars House where Mr Wills presented many of the Coronation Fund Donors, Friends and Ambassadors of the WCCT, before moving on to Cedars Hall where Mr Wills presented civic guests and Wells Cathedral staff, including the Precentor, The Reverend Canon Mary Bide, and the Acting Director of Music, Mr Alexander Hamilton.

A Somerset Ploughman’s was served at lunch, consisting entirely of locally-sourced produce and drinks, and Her Highness sat with former choristers, Gregory Wills and Maddie Perring, both now studying at music college, and recent leavers and current choristers, Oliver Jenkins, Aleksei Lichter, Rosie Bennett and Estella Fawden. Following lunch, Mr Wills addressed the attendees and Her Highness signed the Visitor’s Book before departing.

 
 
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