50+ local singers to tour the UK for performances in 3 impressive venues, including Westminster Abbey
In just under two weeks’ time, Christ Church Cathedral’s choirs will embark on their tour to Scotland and England singing in some of the UK’s most impressive buildings, including the famous London landmark, Westminster Abbey.
Christ Church Cathedral is renowned for its high-caliber choral music education programs and its choirs are recognized as some of the finest on Canada's west coast. The thirty adult singers, twenty-three young choristers, and organist Mark McDonald will be led on their first international tour by the Cathedral’s Director of Music Donald Hunt.
“We’re very honoured to be invited to sing in these truly iconic places," says Donald Hunt. "Our singers are very much looking forward to adding their voices to the round of daily choral worship at these important places of pilgrimage.”
The choirs will sing daily services at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and Westminster Abbey in London, where King Charles III’s coronation was recently televised to a worldwide audience of millions.
This is the first-ever overseas tour mounted by the cathedral’s choirs and the months of careful preparation are about to pay off.
“When we make music in these magnificent places of worship, our choirs will have the chance to experience a deep connection to these historic places while also representing some of the best music-making in our city, our province, and our country,” says Hunt.
The community is invited to the choirs’ Send-off Concert on Canada Day – Saturday July 1 at 4.00 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral (Quadra St at Courtney St in Victoria). The concert, part of the cathedral’s Summer Recital Series, will be hosted by former CTV bureau chief Janet Dirks. Admission is by donation.
With our departure right around the corner, we want to ensure you can keep up to date with our daily highlights, so we'll be regularly updating the tour website (https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/pages/uk-choir-tour-july-2023) as well as sharing information in a daily newsletter.
Here is the link to sign up to receive daily updates. while the choir is away. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/rcPV8fA - Donald Hunt, Director of Music