Lichfield Cathedral, August 2026
Another wonderful CCS weekend. The choir roduced some very fine music: Alan Tregaskis, would have been thrilled to hear his Mag.& Nunc being performed in an English Cathedral (sung so well); the Howells was simply beautiful. The Byrd more than survived, it was actually quite good and the Mealor was very special, really moving with many people in the congregation commenting upon this. Stanford in Bb was uplifted by the way the choir sang it and, of course, the Finzi was full of vitality!
In addition to singing so well the choir had a great time socialising. A friendly, happy group of people, it’s wonderful.
A huge thank you to Elizabeth who played brilliantly. How on earth she managed with only 40 minutes to set up the organ for three services, I’ll never know. We are so lucky to have you as our organist.
There’s a bunch of photographs HERE and a video condensing two full days into 15 minutes HERE.
Rochester Cathedral, May 2026
Our visit to Rochester ,Saturday 18th April, 2026 was for the Civic Service/Inauguration of the Kent High Sheriff. It featured the anthem: Dove, ‘They will rise’ and the Organ voluntary: Widor VI Finale, played by Thomas Howell. On Sunday 19th April, 2026, the Choral Eucharist featured the Mass setting: Darke in E, Motet: Stopford, ‘Ave Maris Stella’, and the Organ voluntary: Bach Fiddle Fugue in D minor BWV 539. Sunday 19th April’s Evensong aired the responses: Ellis ‘Morland’, Canticles with Forbes L’Estrange King’s College Service. Also the anthem: Wood, ‘O Thou, the Central Orb’ , Psalm: 48 and the Organ voluntary: Krebs Toccata in E.
A 14 minute video of the entire, wonderful weekend, with choristers’ photos and snippets of the music, can be found HERE.
Thank you all so much for supporting our CCS Good Friday charity ‘Come & Sing’ at Bottesford Church. It really was a wonderful day with over 160 singers and we raised a record amount this year, over £3,000 (the previous record was £2,409). This will make a big positive difference to the lives of a considerable number in Gaza and the Middle East and we all know how much they need support. Hopefully our contribution will mean that the suffering of some is eased to a certain extent. I am very proud of all of you; so many visiting singers commented on what a wonderful team of friendly, welcoming people greeted them upon their arrival and looked after them throughout the day. You all worked so well together, it was heartwarming to witness this.
On top of that, the gathered multitude produced a really moving performance of the Fauré ‘Requiem’. Philip Robinson said that he thought it the best ‘Come & Sing’ choir that he has heard.
So, many, many thanks everyone – a job well done ! 🙂
