Trinity Sunday at Wells Cathedral
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May 2026

Choral Evensong, Festal Matins and Festal Eucharist.

Join us to sing three special services over a key weekend in the church year in one of England’s most magnificent cathedrals. A rare opportunity to sing both classic Choral Evensong, a Festal Matins and a full Sung Eucharist. This is also a wonderful opportunity to explore England’s smallest city, with a wealth of fascinating history including a bishop’s palace, and Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited, fully intact mediaeval street.

Programme

What will we sing?

We will be singing all the musical components of a traditional Book of Common Prayer Eucharist, Matins and Evensong: the hymns, psalms, sung responses, canticles, a Mass setting, and three anthems.
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis—Fauxborudon by William Byrd (ca.1540-1623)
Kleine Orgelmesse and 'The heavens are telling' by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
If ye love me by Thomas Tallis (1505-85)
Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner (1824-96)
Responses by William Smith (1603-45)
plus psalms, hymns and acclamations.

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, a very important part of a one-off choral occasion such as this. A full set of rehearsal videos will be posted at the bottom of this page and participants are encouraged to use these for easy regular part-learning in the weeks prior to our visit.

What does it cost?

The cost is £179 per person. This includes a printed book of all the music, all tea and coffee throughout the weekend, Saturday and Sunday lunch (sandwiches, salad, hot items, fruit and dessert items), and Saturday evening three course dinner with wine, beer, hot and soft drinks (unrestricted, subject to reasonable consumption per head), and Sunday morning coffee break.

What do I wear?

During the rehearsal day 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.
There is not much time for changing immediately prior to each service.

Preparation

Because we will be meeting as a full choir only on the day, it is essential 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 below, which you can watch and sing along with as an efficient and easy way to practice your part until you are secure.

Can I bring a partner or a friend?

Friends, family and partners are very welcome to attend the actual services as members of the congregation, and these are open to the public at no charge. If a friend or partner would like to join the group for refreshments, meals, but will not be a singer, they may do so, paying a reduced charge which is indicated on the booking form.

Accommodation 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.

To book

Click HERE and complete the online booking form.

This will generate an automatic email with information on how to pay.
Please complete a separate booking form for each person by re-opening the form, as the database can only store one person's details per email address.
By booking you are accepting our terms and conditions, which you can review below.

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 Wells

Singers are not required to print and bring music, as a printed copy will be issued on the day.