Rochester Cathedral
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th December 2024

Choral Evensong and Choral Eucharist
in England's second oldest cathedral.

Finish the year by singing the services in this remarkable historic setting, next to the gaunt but impressive ruin of 1000-year old Rochester Castle, and the charming high street of this town where Watling Street crosses the Medway, and which is associated with the Hugenots and with Charles Dickens, among many other notable connections.

Programme

Saturday 28th December

10.00am Welcome, registration and coffee
10.15am Rehearsal
12.30pm Lunch
1.00pm Rehearsal
2.30pm Rehearsal in Quire
3.15pm Evensong
4.15pm Tea
6.00pm Dinner

Sunday 29th December
8.30am Rehearsal
9.45am Coffee 10.30am Choral Eucharist
Noon Sunday Lunch (optional extra, select on the booking form)
1pm Rehearsal
3.15pm Evensong

What will we sing?

We will be singing all the musical components of the Eucharist service and of a traditional Book of Common Prayer Evensong: the hymns, psalms, sung responses, canticles and a Mass setting, and three choral anthems.

Messe brève No 7 in C Gounod
Ave Verum Corpus Elgar
Quem Pastores Laudavere Trad. arr. Praetorius
Ich steh an Deiner Krippen hier Gerhardt/Bach
Short Service Farrant
Canticles in B flat majorStainer
Responses Tallis

Scroll down to find singalong part-learning videos and downloadable scores. These are for rehearsal purposes, as on te day you will be issued with a printed set of all the music.

Download Booking Form here.

Can I bring a friend or partner?

Non singing friends, relatives and partners are welcome. If they wish only to attend the services these are open to the public at no charge. There is a reduced charge indicated on the Booking Form for any who wish to join us for the meals and refreshments.

What do I wear?

During the rehearsals and Saturday evening dinner you may dress casually.
For the service, everyone must wear black. For the ladies this means black dresses, or black tops and skirts or trousers, black shoes, and discreet personal jewellery. Tights may be black or natural. For the gentlemen, black shirts open at the neck, black trousers, socks and shoes, and black jackets or jumpers if worn. Dinner jacket components are acceptable.
It could be quite cold in December so bring warm wear. Black jumpers or cardigans may be worn, even black coats if needed.
There is not much time for changing immediately prior to each service, so most people wear their 'concert black' all day. There is time to change into something casual before dinner.

Preparation

Because we will be meeting as a full choir only on the day, it is very important that everyone prepares in advance as much as necessary to be able to sing their part on the day with few or no stumbles over the notes.
I will place rehearsal videos for each part for each piece here, which you can watch and sing along with as an efficient and easy way to practice your part as often as you feel you need to.
This is extremly important - plan to sing through each item at least 5 or 6 times, either using the part-learning videos published here or on your own.
Do not arrive under-prepared and unable to sing your part reasonably accurately and confidently.

If you need accommodation, this is left up to individuals to organise. If you are planning to come, you may wish to book accommodation early, in order to get the best rates and good availability.

Download Booking Form here.

If you would like to know about future events like this send me an email at phil@withcheerfulvoice.org.uk.

Music files and practice videos for Rochester

Singers are not required to print and bring scores, as a printed book will be provided.

As part of your preparation listen to each of these practical videos specially made for us by professionnal singer Bethan Williams, to help improve your singing :