Spring/Summer Update 2025

On the 18th April we performed a Good Friday concert at Wells Cathedral, our first with new musical director, Robert Brooks. It is a privilege to continue this long tradition of annual free concerts in this stunning venue, and we attracted over 400 audience members. Our programme was designed to appeal to the wide variety of visitors to the cathedral, but also reflect the deeply sacred and contemplative mood of holy week. At first setting a penitential tone, each piece in the concert moved further towards redemption and the coming celebration of Easter. We were thrilled both with the incredibly positive reactions from audience members, and also that we raised over £2000 for Wells Cathedral.

We are now in the middle of rehearsals for the upcoming Presteigne Festival, which runs from the 22nd to the 24th August. This brings with it the challenge of preparing for three separate performances – an orchestral concert, an a capella programme, and a sung eucharist – within one rehearsal window, so the choir have been working hard! It is a joy, however, to collaborate again with conductor George Vass, who directs the festival, and to be championing so much contemporary music by composers such as Cecilia McDowall, Jonathan Dove, Cheryl Frances Hoad, Judith Weir, Kerensa Briggs, Nathan Dearden and Caroline Shaw.

Finally, we will be holding a Friends and Patrons reception at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath at 6.30 on the 30th June. It is a lovely opportunity to meet the choir and its new director, hear us sing, and find out more about our plans for the future. If you are interested in supporting the choir you are very welcome to attend!