Choristers in Lockdown Triumph!

Written by Beth (12) and Belinda (9) - pictured above in the recording studio

We both entered an on-line international singing competition during lockdown. The competition was called Unlock Your Talent, and had celebrity judges and people competing from as far away as Australia. It was lovely to be singing as we had missed Wells Cathedral so much.

Beth entered the 12 to 18 category, singing Amarilli Mia Bella by Caccini; and Belinda the 6 to 11 category, singing Wishing you were Somehow Here Again by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

We were thrilled to find that we had both made it through not only the first round, but the semi-finals and then to the finals, with each round being re-judged. 

Out of hundreds of entries, the final results were a second place for Beth and a third place for Belinda in their respective categories! 

We had some beautiful comments and were so pleased. The judges described Beth’s performance as ‘spine-tingling’ and ‘crystal clear’, and she had a special mention from opera singer David Webb.  Belinda’s performance was described as ‘brilliant with a truly beautiful sound’.

We were so delighted with our results and send thanks to Mr Cole for his encouragement and for allowing us to take part. We can’t wait to be back singing together as a choir soon.

Welcome to our New Patron!

I’m delighted to say that David Morgan-Hewitt has agreed to become a Patron of the WCCT, and he shares my enthusiasm for the Trust. Like me, he is a former Cathedral Chorister and we sang together in Three Choirs events, me with Peterborough, and David with Norwich, together with Ely. They were glorious days and he was a junior chorister whilst I was ‘almost over the hill’! I have no doubt at all that he will be a significant friend to the Trust, with ideas, suggestions and wisdom along the way. David introduces himself in a message below.

Arnold Wills
Chairman

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I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to become a Patron of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust.  Many years ago, I was a cathedral chorister at Norwich and choral music and Cathedral worship have been part of my life from a very early age. Having moved to Wells from London a couple of years ago I am now so privileged to live in The Rib -  a fabulous mediaeval canonical house with the Chapter House in our front garden and The Lady Chapel in the back garden. I am so spoilt as I can sit in our back garden and hear the choir singing in the cathedral - sounding even better if I pop next door!
 
Cathedral Choirs cost money and the WCCT exists to raise funds to help those ever-increasing financial demands. If the pandemic and the closure of our cathedrals has taught us anything, it is that without our fabulous choir Wells Cathedral is not whole. Having the choir back will be one of the most exciting things to have happened in years. I am thrilled to be associated, in a very small way, with this incredible organisation. 
 
Personally, I have never forgotten the amazing start in life I was given by being accepted into a cathedral choir.  It was pure luck that I had a voice worth listening to, but it was much more than luck that I had a place at Norwich Cathedral. It was the commitment and generosity of the Dean and Chapter and the many supporters of the choir that made my childhood so rich and happy.

David Morgan-Hewitt
Patron

The Choir Returns!

We are thrilled to hear that the Cathedral Choir is to return and sing in Wells Cathedral this term. The first sung service of the new academic year is to be on Saturday 5 September when there will be a special Choral Evensong held in the nave, with celebrations for members of the Music Foundation. All are warmly invited to come. This promises to be a very special and important moment. Please do come to support our Choristers and all members of the Music Foundation.

Social distancing arrangements are fully in place at the Cathedral, and those attending are asked to wear a face mask, unless they have good reason not to.

There will be a retiring collection to support the Cathedral’s Bounce Back Appeal, in support of the Cathedral’s music.

Please note that those planning to attend are asked to email office@wellscathedral.uk.net by midday on Tuesday 2nd September, so that the Cathedral can prepare well for this special occasion.

Sing Forever!

Up and down the country over 250 choristers have been singing for the survival of music in cathedrals, including 20 choristers from Wells Cathedral.

Inspired by the Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund appeal, which seeks to raise £1M, choristers from all over the country have joined together with Aled Jones, Elizabeth Watts and the current BBC Young Choristers of the Year to record a lockdown video rendition of the beautiful song ‘Sing Forever’ by Robert Prizeman.

Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust would like to congratulate all of its choristers that got involved with this wonderful project for their beautiful singing which is sorely missed in the Cathedral at this time.

You can watch the video below, introduced by Alexander Armstrong.

An Anthem for Pentecost

We are delighted to be able to share another Wells Cathedral Virtual Choir video. To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the Choristers of Wells Cathedral sing Peter Hurford's beautiful 'Litany to the Holy Spirit', with words by Robert Herrick. Each of the 31 young singers recorded their parts in isolation at home and their voices were combined with a pre-recorded organ part played by Jeremy Cole, the Director of Music of Wells Cathedral. Thanks also to Barnaby Martin for again working his technical magic to enable our Choristers to sing together in this way!

Former Chorister Shortlisted in Top Songwriting Competition

The Choristers walk daily to and from the Cathedral via the beautiful Vicars’ Close

We’re delighted to hear the exciting news that Woody Collins, budding composer and former Wells Chorister, has had his song Vicars Close shortlisted for the Song Academy Young Songwriter of the Year competition.

The Young Songwriter Competition is the leading international songwriting competition for 8-18 year olds and provides a wonderful opportunity for aspiring young songwriters to get their music heard by some of the best songwriters and producers in the music industry. 

Inspired by the view of Wells Cathedral towering above Vicars Close, Woody has combined singing and computer-generated bells to create his work. He has also integrated a choral piece by local composer, Stuart Beer into his music. Stuart has written many works for Wells Cathedral Choir, some of which Woody sang in his chorister days.

We wish Woody the very best of luck!

An Easter Treat!

50 singers, made up of the Choristers & Vicars Choral of Wells Cathedral and some of their friends, released this Virtual Choir hymn for Easter Day, conducted by Jeremy Cole: ‘Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to heaven and voices raise’.

All obviously isolated in their homes, the choristers had to listen to a pre-recorded accompaniment track whilst watching a video of Jeremy Cole conducting. They then recorded themselves and sent their videos back to Mr Cole. It’s a super effort and we hope you enjoy it as much as we have! Hats off to Barnaby Martin, the tech wizard behind this video!

Choristers perform St Matthew Passion on BBC Radio 3

The 2014 Head Choristers, Maddie Perring and Greg Wills with Sir Simon Rattle

This Good Friday evening at 7.00pm, the Wells Cathedral Choristers can be heard on BBC Radio 3 in a repeat broadcast of Bach’s St Matthew Passion from the 2014 BBC Proms. Performed with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and with a stellar line-up of soloists, this wonderful performance is one not to be missed.

You can find details on the BBC Radio Website here.

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The Boy Head Chorister at the time, Gregory Wills, wrote the following account of the day:

We stayed in a hotel called the Lancaster Gate and spent the next few days rehearsing at the Royal College of Music where I met Sir Simon Rattle for first time. He was so kind and encouraging, making us feel confident to perform with his conducting.

One evening we went to the Rainforest Café and had a lovely dinner together. We also had the opportunity to go on the London Eye and visit our first 4D cinema, which everyone enjoyed.

On the day of the performance our rehearsal was in the Royal Albert Hall. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the hall was the giant organ: it was as tall as a house. Then I looked up at the ceiling which looked like floating balloons, perfectly made to balance the acoustic. The whole room was red and gold and we were amazed by the number of seats and boxes that filled the room. I was so excited and nervous to perform to such a large audience.

We walked onto the stage with bright lights shining on our faces and thousands of people watching us. The first person in the whole room I noticed was my Dad. He gave me a massive smile and I knew it would all be fine.

The music was beautiful and I felt like I was part of something amazing. I loved every moment of the performance and before we knew it, it was time to leave.

I am grateful for having been given this amazing opportunity at only thirteen years old. I have memories I’ll never forget and met people who have inspired me to become the best musician I can be. I’m looking forward to the next adventures to come.

Gregory Wills,
Head Boy Chorister (2013-14)

Sir Simon Rattle rehearses the choristers on stage

Outside the Stage Door of the Royal Albert Hall

The Singing Continues

Following the closure of the Cathedral School and the temporary cessation of services in Wells Cathedral, two of our Girl Choristers missed their music-making so much that they decided to record their own ‘evensong’ service at home before the lockdown came into force. They have allowed us to share their video below. We join them in greatly looking forward to the day when the Choristers are once again united in their singing in Wells Cathedral.

Until Next Time...

In line with schools across the country, Wells Cathedral School closed yesterday in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. The realisation that our Choristers will not be singing the services for Hoy Week and Easter for the first time in hundreds of years, has been a difficult thing for both them and us to take on board. Before they left, the Choristers wanted to sing for you one last time, at least until we meet again…