Calling all Former Vollers! Voluntary Choir 150th Anniversary Celebration
Over the last 150 years, Worcester Cathedral’s Voluntary Choir has been a key part of the city’s musical and cultural life, with hundreds of children and adult choristers wearing the choir’s distinctive blue cassocks to sing in the Cathedral on Sunday evenings.
This October, we will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the choir (which sang its first service on 11 October 1874) and are calling on former choir members to join in with the celebrations.
A special Sung Eucharist will be taking place on Sunday 13 October at 10.30am, followed by a Gala Lunch.
The service will be sung by the Cathedral Choir and the Voluntary Choir (affectionately known as ‘Vollers’) and former Vollers are also being invited to sing, then attend a Gala Lunch (with plus ones) afterwards. Following the service, celebratory refreshments will be served in the Cathedral for all present.
Worcester Cathedral has commissioned Paul Trepte, former Director of the Voluntary Choir, to write a new anthem to mark the anniversary, which will be premiered at the service by the Voluntary Choir and Cathedral Choir.
The mass setting will be Charles-Marie Widor’s setting for two choirs and two organs. Former Vollers are invited to form the baritone choir, with a rehearsal on the day from 9.15am.
Were you, or do you know, a former chorister or gentleman of the Voluntary Choir? Sign-up to sing in the service, and/or attend the Gala Lunch by filling in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/u4MwJbc4BL
*Please note that places for the lunch are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please be sure to sign up as soon as possible!
The Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music, Nicholas Freestone, who is organising the event, said: “We are reliant on word of mouth to let former choir members know about this event, so please do pass this onto any former Vollers you may know. It would be wonderful to welcome many former choir members to this special anniversary event!”
Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir sang its first service on 11 October 1874, beginning a near-continuous pattern of providing choral music for the 6.30pm service each Sunday, which continues to this day.
If you have any questions, please contact nicholasfreestone@worcestercathedral.org.uk
All are warmly welcome to attend this special service on Sunday 13 October at 10.30am, which is unticketed with unreserved seating.
Prices
Free: £0.00
