Three Choirs with One Voice at Evensong

Three years ago, the Directors of Music of the three schools associated with the Three Choirs Festival came up with the idea of combining our Chamber Choirs for Choral Evensong once a year as a mini versions of the Festival.

It is an occasion when the choristers can renew friendships forged whilst working closely together each July. Three years on, we have now had a full cycle, with each school having hosted the event.

Last week, 40 pupils from the three schools combined to sing an uplifting Evensong in Hereford Cathedral, led by the Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral School, Duncan Barlow, who also adjudicated the House Music Competition here at King’s last term.

The wonderful organ and inspiring acoustic of the magnificent building helped to enhance the high quality music-making.

This was particularly noticeable in the anthem; Balfour Gardiner’s Evening Hymn is a classic of the early twentieth century choral repertoire, with a dramatic build up in the organ before the full choir enters.