WELLS Cathedral has launched plans for the Sound of Wells Festival 2023.
Taking place from May 18-21 at the Cathedral, the Festival will feature a series of concerts and services, celebrating musical talent from all over the city of Wells and beyond.
For the first time ever, the Cathedral will resound across four days with performances by all of Wells Cathedral’s choral ensembles: Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir and 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 more than 40 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 concert premiere of a newly-commissioned work.
The choirs will be joined by professional ensembles Rejouissance and Festival Brass, as well as the 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 new works by distinguished composers Grayston Ives and Patrick Hawes.
Alexander Hamilton, Sound of Wells Artistic Director, 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, May 6, 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.”
More details will be published online at wellscathedral.org.uk