Leading choir to mark midsummer with an evening of choral music

The richly varied programme takes as its theme the celebration of music and nature, using words and music from the 13^th century to the present day. 

With music from Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Orlando Gibbons, Joanna Marsh and Ralph Vaughan Williams to Duke Ellington and George Gershwin, expect an evening with madrigals, part-songs, close harmony, and readings from across the ages, all performed by candlelight as the sun slowly sets on a long summer’s day.

Music for a Summer’s Evening is performed by Ex Cathedra alongside guest conductor Steven Grahl. 

Steven is director of music at Trinity College, Cambridge, and is also known for his work as Chorus-Master on TV and film productions including The Crown, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  

The concerts include the world premiere live performance of Songs, by Piers Connor Kennedy. Previously recorded by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, this is the first time that the work is performed by live voices in a concert setting. Piers, who is based in Suffolk, has received international acclaim for his work, and in January this year joined The King’s Singers.

Steven Grahl said: “Music for a Summer’s Evening is a joyful mixture of music, with pieces by English madrigalists John Wilbye and Orlando Gibbons -  the 400^th anniversary of whose death is marked this year - set against vibrant works by several living composers. 

"Poets represented include Gerard Manley Hopkins, Robert Herrick, and Emily Dickinson, and the striking literary works of William Shakespeare and E.E. Cummings are a particular feature.”

 Ex Cathedra Music for a Summer’s Evening at St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury (Fri 6 June), St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton (Sat 7 June), Hereford Cathedral (Wed 11 June), St Martin-in-the-Fields, London (Thu 12 June) and St Mary's Church, Moseley (Tue 17 June).

Tickets range from £5 to £45, available from www.excathedra.co.uk