On Thursday 26 June 2025, we will be holding a very special Evensong as children from St Thomas Cantilupe Primary School will be joining the cathedral choristers. We extend a very warm welcome to all who wish to join us for this service at 5.30pm in the cathedral nave.

The choir at St Thomas Cantilupe Primary School have been preparing for this joint service since Easter with The Reverend Dr Jonathan Roberts, the cathedral’s Succentor and Archie Purdue, this year’s Bass choral scholar. They have been learning a new setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis which has been written specially for the event by Archie, who also helps with music at the school throughout the week. They will be singing some pieces which they know well but have also learnt how to sing responses in traditional Gregorian plainsong, which they picked up amazingly quickly.

The Reverend Dr Jonathan Roberts, said: “The choir sings for school events and services regularly but I am very much looking forward to them having the chance to sing in the much larger space of the cathedral and to be accompanied by the organ, played by our organ scholar Jake Buckton. I personally am very pleased that both of the choirs with which I work regularly will be singing together for this Evensong.”

Archie Purdue, said: “It has been a joy to work with and learn from the pupils at St Thomas Cantilupe on a day-to-day basis for the past seven months. Their enthusiasm for music is inspiring, and our thanks must go to the school staff who embrace music with such open arms. I hope the canticles come to life in the Cathedral – it is an honour to have them performed by these fantastic pupils alongside the choristers in this historic building.” 

Evensong with the choir of St Thomas Cantilupe and Hereford Cathedral Choristers will take place on Thursday 26 June at 5.30pm. This service is open to everyone to attend – more details of the music can be found in this week’s Music List: www.herefordcathedral.org/music-lists