A Very English Summer 2025
Our 2025 Summer concert
features music by English composers down the ages including two signature pieces, richly evocative works rooted in the lyricism of English music.
Cecilia McDowall’s A Fancy of Folksongs (2013) is a vibrant reimagining of traditional British folk material. Scored for upper voices and harp or piano, (we will be accompanied by a very fine grand piano) the piece blends familiar melodies with McDowall’s distinctive harmonic language, offering fresh perspectives on age-old tales. Each song in the set captures a different mood—from wistful longing to playful charm—highlighting the composer’s gift for marrying folk idioms with contemporary sensitivity. These are folk tunes you're bound to know including (strangely) 'O No, John' !
In contrast, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music (1938) is a lush and deeply expressive choral work, setting text from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Commissioned to honour conductor Sir Henry Wood, the piece is a love letter to the power of music itself. Vaughan Williams weaves a radiant texture that shimmers with harmonic warmth and poetic nuance, making it one of his most heartfelt and enduring compositions.
Together, these works showcase the enduring influence of folk and literary traditions in British music, celebrating both communal memory and the transcendent beauty of musical expression.
In addition we will be singing music that will include some or all of
John Bennet, ‘All Creatures Now’
Edward Elgar, ‘As Torrents in Summer’
Ralph Vaughan Williams, ‘Linden Lea’
Percy Grainger, ‘Country Gardens
and maybe more. We will update this page as soon as the exact pieces are confirmed
It is always our intention to to help support the musical life of students at the school and one way we do this is by providing a platform in our concerts for Senior students, some of whom may be leaving shortly to pursue musical study. This year will be no different and as soon as we know who will be performing what we will update this page.
The choir will be conducted by Jonathan Lee, Organist at Christ's Hospital school, who is standing in for our Musical Director Verity Bramson-Hay Head of Singing in the Music Department at Christ's Hospital school who is on maternity leave from the school.
Buy your tickets now here >>
or through members of the Choral Society,
or from Christ's Hospital Box Office online or by 'phone on 01403 247434
Tickets bought in advance are £10.00 or £5 (children).
Tickets will be available on the door on the evening of the concert : £12.50 for adults or £5 for children.
