West Dorset was our destination on Sunday 1 May, when we joined forces with Sherborne Abbey Choir to sing Choral Evensong.
Although heavy showers were forecast, rain held off and enabled the boys to let off steam between the rehearsal and service with a football match on the green outside Sherborne Abbey.
The music comprised favourites from our repertoire: the Evening Service in C by Charles Villiers Stanford, the Evening Hymn by Henry Balfour Gardiner and the Responses by Bernard Rose. It was conducted by Paul Ellis, Director of Music at Sherborne Abbey; Canon Eric Woods, Vicar of Sherborne, presided. Afterwards, the choirs processed outside for a photo to mark the occasion.
The afternoon concluded with a tea generously provided by Sherborne Mother’s Union and Abbey Choir parents.
Robert Fielding thanked them for it and commented: ‘We value our link with Sherborne Abbey, which has now been going strong for a decade. It is always a pleasure to make music together and we look forward to entertaining our friends from Dorset in November.’
The summer term promises to be especially busy for our choristers since, in addition to their regular commitments, they will be joining Romsey Choral Society on Saturday 2 July for a performance in the Abbey of Benjamin Britten’s cantata St. Nicholas.
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