The Chamber Choir Choral Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral

The Hurstpierpoint College Chamber Choir continued their tradition of performing at large venues this term, and can now add Salisbury Cathedral to their growing list. The magnificent building played backdrop to a beautiful evening of music, as the Chamber Choir sang Evensong to a large weekday congregation.

Spirits were high and on arrival it was straight into rehearsal for the choir to get used to the spectacular volume of the place. The rehearsals themselves were impressive enough to draw in a large crowd of tourists and visitors who all came to listen and take pictures of the young and talented choir. Evensong is the star in the Church of England’s firmament and the Chamber Choir’s rendition of Stanford’s Evening Service in B Flat soared around the vast spaces of the cathedral. The peaceful atmosphere established by Nunc Dimittis, was shattered by the penetrating trumpet chords from the organ and ringing voices in the Anthem Lift up your heads, O ye gates by William Mathias.

Despite the last minute addition of a procession, little time to rehearse at the Cathedral and the summer holidays, the choir produced a sensational sound that filled the Cathedral. The choir-led procession to the Lady Chapel was accompanied by the Hymn Ye who own the faith of Jesus in celebration of the Birth of the Blessèd Virgin Mary and the service ended movingly with the choir singing the final anthem, Ave Maria by Arcadelt.

Director of Music, Neil Matthews, Kate Bray who played the organ so wonderfully well and of course the Chamber Choir are all to be congratulated on a great performance of choral music, the product of much passion and hard work in rehearsal.