Evensong at St Paul's

Over the last few years, the Farnborough Hill Senior Choir has had the opportunity to sing Choral Evensong at a number of cathedrals and churches including Salisbury, Winchester, Portsmouth and St George’s Chapel, Windsor.  This has enabled the girls to gain familiarity with the elements making up this prayerful service. They have learnt precision with their singing, increased concentration, and the importance of ‘telling the story’ as they sing hymns, anthems and the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.  With this experience and ability in their repertoire, Dr Ian Taylor was delighted when the opportunity came to audition (by sending in a recording) and to be accepted to sing Choral Evensong in one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the country; none other than St Paul’s in London. 

It was with considerable excitement that the choir headed for London on Monday 29 April 2019 well prepared for the service ahead.  The St Paul’s clergy were very welcoming and the choir worked with them to produce a most wonderful service with heartfelt words and prayers for St George’s Day, and music which rang out in the amazing acoustic.

Dr Taylor commented, ‘The girls rose admirably to the challenges of singing at St Paul’s and showed great maturity and discipline in the preparing for this service. In front of a large congregation, they sang with confidence, sensitivity and beauty, as befits such a wonderful venue. It was a great pleasure to see so many girls enjoy this marvellous experience.’

The choir sang the following:

The recessional, played by Mr Joseph Adams on the Cathedral organ, was Edward Elgar - Vesper Voluntaries, Op. 14: No. 9. Poco Allegro.

This was the very last public performance in the Senior Choir for the girls who will be leaving the School at the end of this term.  What a wonderfully high note for them on which to end their Farnborough Hill singing careers.