Delighted Chorister, Dan gets his copy signed by Howard Skempton
What an inspiring week! The new music wells 77-17 festival has come to an end and we are reflecting on how much has been packed into the last few days: 7 services, 3 lunchtime concerts, an organ recital, a masterclass with Howard Skempton, 'Composer Conversations' with Lord (Michael) Berkeley CBE, and no fewer than 9 world premieres (including a bell-ringing method!)! It's hard to select a particular highlight but yesterday's service of Choral Evensong, sung by both the boy and girl choristers with the Vicars Choral, was something special. Not only did it include the premiere of Howard Skempton's Preces and Responses (which we have no doubt will spread into regular use nationwide), but we were also treated to Michael Berkeley's exquisite anthem, 'Listen, Listen, O my Child', and John Joubert's extraordinary and stirring Evening Canticles in C. The choristers were keen to gather autographs from the gathered composers at the reception afterwards, where the Cathedral Commissioners joined us too. It served as a wonderful celebration at the end of a wonderful week's music-making.
