Long, Long Ago: Christmas Music from Chichester

The known history of Chichester Cathedral Choir stretches back to the middle of the 16th century. Today, the statutes at Chichester provide for eighteen trebles and six lay vicars, who sing a broad repertoire encompassing works from the Middle Ages to the present day, including over forty pieces written specifically for Chichester. The daily offering of music, performed in the cathedral’s beautiful acoustics, is at the heart of the pattern of worship. Choristers benefit from a full and varied musical education: all have lessons on the piano and an orchestral instrument, and take a full part in the life of the Prebendal School’s thriving music department. Many go on to win major music scholarships to secondary schools. A highlight of the choir’s year is its participation in the Southern Cathedrals Festival, where the choristers and Lay Vicars join forces with their colleagues from the cathedrals of Winchester and Salisbury. Devotees of the Anglican choral tradition travel from around the world to experience this musical celebration. In 2009, the 75th anniversary of Holst's death was commemorated with a weekend of concerts and services, during which the choir performed with the Band of HM Royal Marines and recorded the CD "Holst in Chichester" featuring works by Holst, Stanford, Vaughan Williams and Parry. The choir’s regular appearances on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Choral Evensong’ programme also serve to bring their performances to a broad international audience. At home in Chichester, the choir gives a series of performances each December at the famous Festival Theatre, to a combined audience of many thousands. Further afield, the choir regularly tours abroad, enjoying particularly close links with Ravenna, Bayreuth, Bamberg and Chartres.