Chichester Cathedral
Ash Wednesday 18th February 2026
Chichester Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity) has
been described as the archetypal English cathedral. Founded in 1075
and consecrated in 1108, it contains fine Norman and Gothic
architecture and, uniquely among English cathedrals, a free-standing
medieval bell tower and a spire visible at sea.
The charming historic town of Chichester dates back to Roman times.
Join us for a rare opportunity as a visiting choir to sing
for the Ash Wednesday service in a major English cathedral.
Click here to book.
Please note that the Soprano section is now full. If you are a soprano you can still register for the Waiting List, and may be offered a place if someone else drops out.
Programme
Saturday 31st January 2026
Rehearsal Afternoon
Church Hall, St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, EC2M 3TL
Mandatory, unless you live too far from London for a practical day
trip.
If you have a different reason why attendance may not be possible,
please get in touch.
12.30pm Registration, coffee
1.00pm Rehearsal 1
3.00pm Tea
3.30pm Rehearsal 2
5.00pm Finish
Wednesday 18th February (Ash Wednesday) 2026
11.30pm Registration, coffee
Noon Lunch
1.00pm Rehearsal
3.00pm Tea
3.45pm (approx) Sing by Holst's Memorial
4.00pm Rehearsal in Quire
5.30pm Service
7.00pm (approx) Finish
What will we sing?
We will sing the Missa Secunda by Hans Leo Hassler (1564–1612),
Purcell's 'Thou knowest,Lord, the secrets of our hearts' and the
traditional components of an Ash Wednesday service, the Lenten Prose
and a setting of Psalm 51.
Gustav Holst is buried at the cathedral and we shall sing a short
Holst piece at his memorial plaque during the course of the afternoon.
Who can take part?
This will appeal to anyone used to singing four part sacred music in a
choir. There is no audition, and you do not need to be an expert sight
reader, but you do need to be able to read music well enough to learn
your part in advance. Scores and rehearsal videos will be posted at
the bottom of this page.
What does it cost?
The cost is £79 per person, which includes all the music, the rehearsal day, all tea and coffee on both days, and a light lunch at Chichester.
What do I wear?
Our standard cathedral presentation: all black. Gentlemen wear black
shirts open at the neck (black polo necks permissible), and black
jackets, trousers, socks and shoes. Ladies wear all black dresses,
skirts or trouser suits. Stockings may black or natural. No high
heels, and discreet presonal jewellery. It may be a cold day, so black
coats will be permitted if needed.
Can I bring a partner or a friend?
Yes, a non-singing friend or partner who would like to join the group for the day in Chichester for refreshments and lunch may do so for £35.
Travel and Accommodation
Travel and any accommodation is left up to individuals to make their
own arrangements.
Click here to book
Music files and practice videos for Chichester
-
The complete set of score and part-learning videos will be
made available here by the start of January.
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The complete set of score and part-learning videos will be made available here by the start of January.