About Gloucester Cathedral Local Gathering
Saturday 26 September, 1pm – 5.15pm/6.30pm
The Cathedral at Gloucester has a rich inheritance. It was founded late in the 11th century not long after William the Conqueror had successfully invaded England in 1066. St Peter’s Abbey as it was then known, had a Benedictine foundation and was known as St Peter’s Abbey right through until the Reformation in the 1540s. Fortunately, the building survived the dissolution of the monasteries as Henry VIII was aware that he had an ancestor, Edward II, buried in the Abbey. Not only did Henry spare the building but he also created the Diocese of Gloucester and it thus became a Cathedral at the time of the Reformation when he founded the King’s School which has been the choir school for the Cathedral ever since.
The music tradition of the cathedral has always been strong having many well-known figures from the 19th and 20th centuries as directors of music; these include Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Hebert Brewer, Herbert Sumsion, John Sanders and the current director, Adrian Partington. With the help of grants received from the Cathedral Music Trust, there are now no less than five choirs associated with the cathedral through what are known as the Singing Academies. It will be one of the choirs formed out of the Singing Academy, “St Benedict’s Singers” who will be singing Evensong that afternoon under the direction of Nia Llewellyn Jones, the assistant conductor.
A completely new organ has been installed and at the gathering on Saturday 26 September, you will have the opportunity to hear about the organ project from the Assistant Director of Music, Jonathan Hope who will give a short recital on this exciting new instrument. The afternoon will include tours of the cathedral and of the library and will conclude with an optional tea at The Deanery by kind invitation of the Dean after Evensong.
Event Timings
1pm: Registration
1.30pm: Welcome and Introduction
1.45pm: Talk about the new organ, with demonstration by Assistant Director of Music, Jonathan Hope
2.45pm: A highlights tour of the Cathedral or a tour of the historic Cathedral Library which will be led by the cathedral archivist, Becky Philips
3.45pm: Attend Choir practice (Nia Llewellyn-Jones) or enjoy a moment to pause and purchase refreshments from Monks Kitchen
4.30pm: Evensong sung by The St Benedict Singers – for details of the singers, click here.
Optional Extra for Cathedral Music Trust Friends and Patrons*
5.30pm: Tea at the Deanery by kind permission of the Dean – a special gathering for Friends and Patrons, offering tea and the opportunity to meet fellow supporters. Available as an optional £5 addition to your event ticket.
6.30pm: Finish
Ticket Prices
£25pp (includes a £5 booking fee)
£5 optional extra for Friends & Patrons Tea
*Friends and Patrons of Cathedral Music Trust often receive optional extras as part of event experiences. It’s through the generosity of our Friends and Patrons, we can continue to support musicians, choristers, and cathedral communities, ensuring that the beauty, inspiration, and cultural significance of cathedral music can be experienced and cherished for the future.
Join as a Friend or Patron today
