Thursday 18 May 2023 | 1.05 p.m. | North Transept

Lunchtime Concert: Wells Cathedral School Pianists

A recital featuring a varied programme of piano music, showcasing the talents of Wells Cathedral School pianists.

Admission: FREE (no booking required); retiring collection in aid of Wells Cathedral

Thursday 18 May 2023 | 5.15 p.m. | Quire

Ascension Day Festal Eucharist

Wells Cathedral Choir

The Festal Eucharist for Ascension Day to feature music by Jonathan Harvey and Patrick Gowers, as well as a premiere of a new introit by Joey Hardin, Wells Cathedral School specialist composition student.

Admission: FREE (no booking required); offertory collection in aid of Wells Cathedral

Friday 19 May 2023 | 1.05 p.m. | North Transept

Lunchtime Concert: Wells Cathedral New Music Ensemble

A recital of new music composed over the past year by Wells Cathedral School’s talented composers.

Admission: FREE (no booking required); retiring collection in aid of Wells Cathedral

Friday 19 May 2023 | 7.30 p.m. | Nave

Zadok the Priest

Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society
Rejouissance Historical Performance Ensemble in Residence, RWCMD
Alexander Hamilton conductor

A triumphant coronation-themed celebration featuring Handel ‘Coronation Anthems’, Vivaldi ‘Gloria’, and Pergolesi ‘Magnificat’.

Saturday 20 May 2023 | 7.00 p.m. | Nave

I Was Glad

Wells Cathedral Choir
Festival Brass
Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir directed by Stuart Beer
Wells Cathedral Coronation Choir led by Naomi MacLeod-Jones
Alexander Hamilton conductor

A joyous musical fanfare celebrating all of Wells Cathedral’s choral ensembles, accompanied by brass and organ, including Parry ‘I was Glad’, John Rutter ‘Gloria’, and Grayston Ives ‘Hear, O ye Kings’ [concert premiere].

Sunday 21 May 2023 | 10.30 a.m. | Nave

Orchestral Eucharist

Wells Cathedral Choir
Wells Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra

A performance of Mozart ‘Coronation Mass’ with orchestra and Finzi ‘God is gone up’ enhance the liturgy of the Cathedral Eucharist.

Admission: FREE (no booking required); offertory collection in aid of Wells Cathedral

Sunday 21 May 2023 | 3.00 p.m. | Quire

Festival Evensong

Wells Cathedral Choir

Wells Cathedral Choir bring the Festival to a conclusion with contemporary masterworks, including Roxanna Panufnik ‘O Hearken’, Alexander L’Estrange ‘New College Service’, and the premiere of Patrick Hawes ‘Most glorious Lord of life’, commissioned for the occasion by Cathedral Commissions.

Admission: FREE (no booking required); offertory collection in aid of Wells Cathedral

About the Sound of Wells Festival:

For the first time ever, the Cathedral will resound across four days with performances by all of Wells Cathedral’s extraordinary choral ensembles:

• Wells Cathedral Choir
• Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir
• Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society

Alongside these renowned and well-established choirs, the Festival will see the debut performance of Wells Cathedral Coronation Choir, especially formed for the Festival. The Choir will be made up of over forty local children, selected from 11 primary schools across Somerset who have been involved in the Cathedral’s Primary Musical Outreach Programme during the past year. These talented young singers will perform alongside Wells Cathedral Choir, enjoying the opportunity to make music with professional musicians and singing in the world premiere of a newly-commissioned work.

The choirs will be joined by professional ensembles Rejouissance and Festival Brass, as well as the exceptional Wells Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra, made up of some of the country’s finest young student players.

The programme will feature music for all to enjoy—alongside favourites pieces by Vivaldi, Handel, and John Rutter, the Festival will showcase the talents of student composers, as well as featuring two brand new works by distinguished composers Grayston Ives and Patrick Hawes.

Alexander Hamilton, Sound of Wells Artistic Director and Acting Director of Music at Wells Cathedral, said,

“I am hugely excited about the forthcoming Sound of Wells Festival. Wells is a place overflowing with musical talent, and the Festival will bring, for the very first time, more than 300 musicians together aged 8-80, to perform in our magnificent Cathedral over four days of wonderful music-making.

“Saturday 6^th May 2023 will of course see our new King and Queen crowned at Westminster Abbey, and so the Festival this year has a distinct Coronation flavour. Across the Festival weekend, audiences will enjoy performances of well-known works that have featured in coronations over the centuries, including Parry’s I was glad and Handel’s Zadok the Priest.

“As well as classical favourites, we have brand new commissions, including works by renowned contemporary composers Grayston Ives and Patrick Hawes. There really is something for everyone to enjoy during the Sound of Wells Festival 2023.

“I am looking forward to working with all of our wonderful musicians and hope to see you there to support them!”