Music to our ears – Choral Evensong is Back

Music to our ears.

The weekend starts here. Thanks to Ripon Cathedral Choir.

Exeter Cathedral and Chichester Cathedral each saw a return of their boy and girl choristers this week performing their first Choral Evensongs after six months of silence.

Exeter Cathedral boy and girl choristers made their first public appearance on Monday (28 Sept) while Chichester’s Cathedral Choir performed Choral Evensong for the first time together last night (2 Oct).

Chichester Cathedral Choir is made up of six Lay Vicars and 14 Choristers and like all cathedral choirs has been silent since we went into lockdown.

The return of choirs into our cathedrals is informed by new research into the transmission risk of singing, plus extensive planning from each Cathedral’s music team.

Chichester’s Organist & Master of the Choristers, Charles Harrison said:

“Despite the enforced six-month sabbatical, the Choristers are back on excellent vocal form and gliding through the demanding choir schedule with their characteristic professionalism and cheerfulness.

“Thursday’s Evensong was a special moment, as we share once again our love of music with the wider Cathedral community.”

Chichester Cathedral Choir will initially sing at Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays services.

In Ripon the Lay Clerks returned on September 8 with their first Choral Evensong. Ripon’s choristers are currently rehearsing in two groups – the juniors and the seniors – to keep social distance. The senior choristers will sing their first Choral Evensong together on Sunday 11 October and the Junior choristers on Wed Oct 14.

Listen in here to Ripon’s Lay Clerks with Palestrina’s gorgeous O Crux Ave. Enjoy.

Listen to more Choral Evensong here >