Salisbury Cathedral Choir has just returned from a hugely successful tour of the Netherlands, where they performed in a variety of churches to great acclaim.
They sang Evensong at the Hooglandsee Kirk, Leiden, the Grote Kerk, Wijk bij Duurstede and St. Bavokerk, Haarlem. They gave two concerts at Saint Walburgis Kerk, Zutphen and the Domkerk, Utrecht, and took part in the Sunday Eucharist at St.Nicholas Basilica, Amsterdam.
John Young, Chorister Tutor, writes:
Highlights of the tour included singing in some very beautiful churches all of which, because of their size and internal height, had magnificent acoustics, some with echoes of seven seconds and more. All of the churches contained more than one organ: a large instrument on the west wall, and smaller instruments in other parts of the church for accompanying choirs. The undoubted highlight and climax of the tour was singing in the Bavokerk in Haarlem which boasts one of the most beautiful looking and sounding, and possibly the most famous organs in the world. This organ also has the great distinction of having been played by Mozart and Handel as well as John Challenger and Jacob Costard. All the organ-ists on the tour had the opportunity to have a brief play including our youngest organist, chorister Oscar who was beside himself with excitement. Actually, all the organists were beside themselves with excitement.
All the performances and services were supported by large and very appreciative congregations and audiences. Fascinatingly, Choral Evensong and Anglican cho-ral music in general have become very popular in churches in The Netherlands. Many churches (including the Roman Catholic Pro-cathedral in Amsterdam) now have choirs which sing Evensong regularly.
When not singing, the tour party enjoyed a fascinating tour of Utrecht’s famous Speelklok Museum which follows the development of mechanical instruments from bell carillons (a feature of churches in The Netherlands) to fairground organs. Relaxing boat trips, in blazing sunshine, along the canals of Amsterdam and Utrecht afforded the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places at a most sedate pace.
Between concerts the choristers had time to shop in Utrecht and managed to play football everywhere. We climbed the highest (I think) church tower in The Netherlands at the Dom in Utrecht. Over 400 steps led to the most spectacular views of the city and stiff knees the following morning. We saw the ancient bells and watched at close quarters the famous carillon (a feature of most church tow-ers in The Netherlands) chime. Chorister Fred, celebrating his thirteenth birthday, was allowed to chime his thirteen years on the largest bell in the tower. More steps were climbed in a windmill in Leiden (not Amsterdam!) and to the roof of the Neuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.
A blend of beautiful music in stunning settings, time to relax and enjoy the local culture, food, drink, and enjoy each other’s company, made this a very happy tour.
By Chris Barnard, Local Ambassador for Salisbury
