Canterbury Cathedral Choral Evensong
Christmas Carol Concert
It was a lovely setting at Southwark Cathedral, London and we were joined by an audience of over 300 for an enchanting afternoon filled with timeless carols and beloved Christmas classics, from the mesmerizing Ceremony of Carols to the cheerful fun of Jingle Bells and the heartwarming nostalgia of The Snowman and Somewhere in My Memory. Everyone was in good voice for stirring renditions of Good King Wenceslas, O Come All Ye Faithful, Away in a Manger, and many more.
It wasn't just a concert—it was a community celebration!
A Sky Full of Stars
We stepped into a world of light and sound as The Canterbury Chamber Choir presented A Sky Full of Stars — an immersive choral performance where the audience were free to move through the candlelit space, watch the singers up close, and let the music surround it.
This unique concert allowed us all to experience choral music not just as a listener, but as part of the soundscape itself — walking beneath the vaults, pausing in pools of candlelight, and feeling voices rise and fade all around you.
Programme highlights:
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Jonathan Dove’s Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars — a glittering evocation of the night sky.
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Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Stars — ethereal beauty, with tuned wine glasses shimmering like constellations.
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Morten Lauridsen’s O Nata Lux & Sure on This Shining Night — luminous harmonies that glow with tenderness.
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Will Todd’s My Lord Has Come — hushed intimacy with moments of radiant joy.
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Patrick Hawes’ Prayer to a Guardian Angel — serene, heartfelt devotion.
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Rihards Dubra’s Ave Maria I — floating, meditative serenity.
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Ola Gjeilo’s Northern Lights — breathtaking, with the chill and wonder of Arctic skies.
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Bob Chilcott’s This Day III — bright, lyrical celebration of the present moment.
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Dan Forrest’s The Sun Never Says — a soaring testament to unconditional love.
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Elaine Hagenberg’s When We Love — tender and uplifting.
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John Tavener’s Song for Athene — profound, moving, and timeless.
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William Harris’ Faire is the Heaven — a masterpiece of English choral splendour.
From whispering contemplation to expansive, star-bright climaxes, this programme surrounded us with beauty, mystery, and light
Even such is time
What a feast was had: A celebration of landmark composer anniversaries with an evening of glorious choral music spanning five centuries. The Canterbury Chamber Choir was delighted to present Even Such is Time, honouring:
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John Rutter — 80th birthday
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Bob Chilcott — 70th birthday
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Arvo Pärt — 90th birthday
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Orlando Gibbons — 400 years since his death
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Palestrina — 500 years since his birth
From the shimmering Renaissance polyphony of Palestrina to the luminous harmonies of modern masters, this programme is a feast for choral music lovers.
Full programme:
John Rutter (b. 1945)
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All things bright and beautiful
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For the beauty of the earth
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Look at the world
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The Lord bless you and keep you
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I will sing with the spirit
Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
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Be thou my vision
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Even such is time
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God so loved the world
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Irish Blessing
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Song (from Jubilate)
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
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The Beatitudes
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594)
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Missa aeterna Christi munera
Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625)
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Second Service Magnificat
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Second Service Nunc Dimittis
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This is the Record of John
From timeless Renaissance splendour to the heartfelt lyricism of today, this concert delivered beauty, variety, and inspiration.
30th Anniversary Concert - This Shining Night
30 years of musical excellence at the highest level, brought together for this spellbinding bonanza of sound and passion in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary's Church, Chartham. Under the direction of Peter Futcher, we were treated to a rich and inspiring programme that spaned various styles, celebrating the power and beauty of choral music.
Exquisit music-making and magnificent staging all came together for an unforgettable treat and on for the next 30.
Conductor: Peter Futcher
Organ and Piano: Ed Kemp-Luck
Weddington Strings
Soloists: Sally Maclean, Rafa Barton Hodges, James Futcher & Orlando Barton Hodges
Ola Gjeilo – Sunrise Mass
A work of radiant beauty and deep emotional scope, Sunrise Mass blends cinematic grandeur with choral lyricism. Gjeilo’s setting of the Latin Mass moves from an ethereal opening to a triumphant, light-filled conclusion, reflecting a journey from darkness to light—both musically and spiritually.
Peter Futcher – Jubilate Deo (Premiere)
Specially composed for this anniversary concert, Jubilate Deo is a joyful and uplifting setting of Psalm 100.
Eric Whitacre – i thank You God
Whitacre’s setting of E.E. Cummings’ poem is a luminous meditation on gratitude and wonder. Rich, shifting harmonies create a sense of awe and transcendence, perfectly capturing the poet’s ecstatic vision of the world.
Benjamin Britten – Rejoice in the Lamb
This spirited and eccentric cantata sets the words of the 18th-century poet Christopher Smart. Britten’s inventive, playful, and sometimes poignant choral writing brings to life Smart’s unique celebration of divine joy—including his famous ode to his cat, Jeoffry!
Gerald Finzi – My Spirit Sang All Day
A brief but exuberant choral work, this setting of Robert Bridges’ poem overflows with lightness and energy. Finzi’s hallmark lyricism and effortless melodic flow make it a beloved gem of the English choral tradition.
Herbert Howells – A Hymn for St Cecilia
Written in honour of the patron saint of music, Howells’ Hymn for St Cecilia is both intricate and radiant. Setting a text by Ursula Vaughan Williams, it beautifully expresses the sacred and mysterious nature of music itself.
Morten Lauridsen – Sure on this Shining Night
This tender and deeply expressive piece, based on a poem by James Agee, shimmers with warmth and quiet serenity. Lauridsen’s characteristic lush harmonies and flowing lines make it a timeless reflection on beauty and hope.
Requiem - Gabriel Fauré & Maurice Duruflé by candlelight
The Requiems of Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé feature some of the most beautiful music ever written and, whilst based on the Mass of the Dead of the Catholic Church, offers something for all listeners in a tapestry of visions of paradise, joy, reflection and choral colour.
Gabriel Fauré's Requiem (1887-1890) is a serene and ethereal setting, reflecting a gentle, consoling view of death. Avoiding dramatic intensity, Fauré's work emphasizes peace and eternal rest, exemplified by the famous Pie Jesu. It blends lyrical melodies with delicate harmonies, showcasing Fauré's mastery of subtle expression.
Maurice Duruflé's Requiem (1947) draws on Gregorian chant traditions, weaving these ancient melodies into a richly textured harmonic framework. Combining profound spirituality with impressionistic influences, the work features lush, intricate choral writing, and moments of sublime introspection, offering a deeply moving meditation on mortality.
Christmas Carols & Songs
An opportunity to take a break from the rushing about and join us for what will be a joyful concert where the audience even get a chance to sing too.
What Dreams May Come
