Once a Chorister Annual Festival 2023

 

An invitation from Oliver Hancock, Director of Music, The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick

It is my very great pleasure, on behalf of the Guild of Ex-Choristers of St Mary’s, to invite you to join us at The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick for the Once a Chorister Annual Festival, 2023 taking place from 15th to 17th September.

A full weekend of events is programmed including choral evensong on both Friday 15th and Saturday 16th led by the choirs of the Collegiate Church of St Mary, an organ recital given by Luke Bond (St George’s Chapel, Windsor) and a Festival Banquet, at which the guest speakers will be Paul Trepte, formerly Ely Cathedral and his wife, Sally.

More information can be found here –

Festival Welcome and Information

Booking for the Festival is now open and may be done either on-line or by post.

Click here for on-line booking form

Click here to download the Booking form (PDF) to print and post.

Booking will close on 15th August, 2023.

Further details are available via the Federation newsletters and on the Federation and St Mary’s websites and Facebook pages.

JOHN TOURNAY

It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of John Tournay.

John began as a chorister in 1943 until 1950 and was an alto lay clerk from 1958 to 1969.

He was an active supporter of the ECA and served on the committee for a number of years.

Death of Her Majesty The Queen

Members of our ECA are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family. Our thoughts are with them at this terribly sad time.
 
May Her Majesty rest in peace.
 
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Evensong in Luccombe

On Sunday the 4th September at 3 o’clock at St Mary the Virgin, Luccombe, the Choir of Ex-Choristers of St Alban’s Cathedral will sing Evensong to mark the dedication of a plaque commemorating the life and music of Peter Hurford.

The Preacher will be The Very Reverend Keith Jones, Dean emeritus of York (Dean’s Vicar at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban 1972–1976).

SIMON PRESTON CBE

It is with sadness that I report that Honorary Member Simon Preston CBE,  distinguished organist, conductor and composer died on 13th May 2022 at the age of 83.

Simon was sub-organist of Westminster Abbey from 1962 to 1967 and, in 1968 came to St Albans to cover for Peter Hurford before becoming organist of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1970.

Simon Trott
Secretary