Former Choristers Reunite at Don Giovanni!

It was lovely to hear of a reunion of former choristers! Christopher Siggery and Howard Thomson went along to the Bristol Hippodrome to hear Meeta sing the role of Donna Elvira in WNO's production of Don Giovanni.

Meeta said of the reunion: “A very special reunion happed last night after my performance of Don Giovanni at the Bristol hippodrome. Christopher and Howard were both Choristers with me at Wells Cathedral, 1994-1997! They along with Chris’s partner decided to surprise me at my performance. I’ve not seen them since 1997. We chatted like great friends who have been sharing life’s journey for years … I drove home immensely happy knowing I’d just renewed my childhood friendships - the beginning of many more fun times ahead together.”

A Ceremony of Carols - Watch Now

The Choristers' performance on Saturday 5 February of Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols' was utterly captivating. Performing to a full nave, with Jeremy Cole conducting and Ruth Faber playing the harp, they together brought out the magic of this extraordinary work.

The Choristers' singing was committed and brilliant, and they clearly demonstrated their love of the music! Particular credit must go to the soloists: Elsa, Alexei, Hannah, Natasha, Charlie and Oliver.

Many thanks to the hundreds of people who came to hear them, gave the Choristers a well-deserved standing ovation, and supported the work of the Trust.

You can now watch the complete performance in the video above.

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A Ceremony of Carols

The Chairman and the Trustees invite you to a performance of A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten on Saturday 5 February. The performance will be given by the Choristers of Wells Cathedral with harpist, Ruth Faber, directed by Jeremy Cole, Director of Music. The concert starts at 1.05pm and all are advised to be in their seat by 12.55pm to ensure a prompt start.

Experience this ever-popular and inspiring arrangement of medieval carols for children’s voices and harp, in the beautiful setting of Wells Cathedral. This was the first work Britten wrote for boys’ voices, and with his keen ear and extraordinary imagination, he achieved many wondrous and memorable effects.

There is no cost to attend although there will be a collection afterwards to support the work of the Trust. We politely suggest a donation of 10 per adult and 5 per child. If you’re unable to attend but wish to donate please click here.

Congratulations to Estella - chorister and budding photographer!

Many congratulations to chorister and budding photographer, Estella, who has won first prize in her age category in the CPRE's “My Somerset – at work, rest & play” Photography Competition. The judges praised the quality of Estella's image [above] and felt it showed how taking time to notice the small things in life can be really special.

Estella said, “I can’t believe I actually won! I love taking photographs, especially of the wildlife and flowers in our garden. We have quite a few wild areas and are lucky enough to have a stream so we have quite a few visitors such as dragonflies, bats, hedgehogs, butterflies, bees and more. I got to go to an event in Somerton about rewilding wildlife and I received a certificate from Marriella Frostrup!”

Visit the competition page here: https://www.cpresomerset.org.uk/get-involved/2021-photography-competition/

A Wonderful Occasion!

What a wonderful occasion yesterday's WCCT Annual Evensong at Wells Cathedral was! Old friends and new gathered to celebrate before the service with our special guest, Dr Anthony Crossland, who cut his 90th birthday cake with great skill! A full nave marvelled at the soaring voices of the choir during the service, who were ably conducted by Dr Crossland during the anthem I was glad by Parry. And the Friends of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust toasted the success of another year after the service. Certainly a day to remember!

Photo of Dr Crossland with the Cathedral Choir courtesy of Jason Bryant.

Tony Crossland conducting Cathedral Choir with great aplomb, the music being the anthem I was Glad by Parry, with organ, brass and timpani.

‘Tony’s boys’, including former Assistant Organist, Andrew Nethsingha (far left)

L-R: Tim Uglow (former Wells Chorister), Jeremy Cole (Director of Music), Tony Crossland, Robert Wills (former Wells Chorister)

Nick Hodges and Jeremy Cole

Nick Hodges and Jeremy Cole

Become our Friend!

The new Friends of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust launched over the summer, replacing what was our Angels regular donor scheme. We have an ambition to make a difference to as many musical children as possible who otherwise may not have a chance to shine. And with the help of our regular donors, we will. So, if you're interested in giving children from all backgrounds a chance, become part of our family of Friends.

More details can be found HERE.

Fun Day for Aspiring Choristers

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Experiencing Chorister life: Wells Cathedral welcomes thirty aspiring Choristers for ‘a day in the life’

On Saturday 18 September, Wells Cathedral hosted a fabulous, free ‘behind the scenes’ day, during which children were able to experience the life of a Cathedral Chorister.

Thirty girls and boys, aged between seven and nine, came from schools across Somerset and beyond for the annual Be a Chorister for a Day event where they met the Cathedral Choristers and participated in fun singing workshops.

The day culminated in singing Choral Evensong in the Quire of the Cathedral with the award-winning and world-renowned Cathedral Choir. The children performed the anthem The Lord is my Shepherd by Howard Goodall, helped the Choir lead the two hymns in the service, and learnt to process in and out.

There were also events for the children’s parents, including a tour of Wells Cathedral School and tea in the historic Vicars’ Hall.

Future Events

If you are interested in the 2022 Be a Chorister for a Day event, please contact the Cathedral Music Office via musicoffice@wellscathedral.uk.net.  If you can’t wait that long you may like to join Wells Cathedral Song Squad, the Cathedral’s un-auditioned choir for children aged 7-13, or Wells Cathedral Song Squad Minis, for children aged 4-6, which meet on Tuesday afternoons during term time. Contact Naomi MacLeod-Jones via wellssongsquad@gmail.com for more details.

Calling all former Wells Cathedral Choristers…

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Calling all former Wells Cathedral choristers! We're delighted to be sending an invitation to former choristers for the Annual Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust Evensong which will be held this year on Saturday 2nd October, and which is themed “A Celebration of Choristership”.

This ‘former choristers celebration’ will also include a special tea from 3pm as we'll be marking the 90th birthday last month of former Wells Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers, Dr Anthony Crossland, as well as his recent appointment as a Patron of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust.

Tony and his wife Barbara will be attending both the tea and Evensong and we'd love to see as many former choristers as possible.

So look out for your invitation because we're asking you to RSVP. If you don't receive an invite or you know a former chorister who'd like to attend, please email us via email administrator@wcct.co.uk

The rather wonderful photograph above is courtesy of Tim Uglow, and features Paul Lucas (Precentor) on the left, Pope John Paul II, and Dr Crossland on the right.

 
 
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