Join us on Saturday 1st November 2025 and explore
Dvorak's ‘Mass in D major’
in a workshop / masterclass environment with Adrian Bawtree at Christ's Hospital School
Secure your place by ordering and paying for tickets >> BOOK TICKETS
The Music
Dvořák’s Mass in D Major, Op. 86, a deeply personal expression of faith. Written originally for choir, soloists, and organ in a country chapel, this “Lužany Mass” blends intimacy, lyricism, and heartfelt devotion. From the jubilant Gloria to the serene closing Agnus Dei, Dvořák’s Mass radiates both simplicity and profound beauty.
The Mass in D follows the traditional structure of the Roman Catholic Ordinary—Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. Though modest in scale, the Mass in D Major is far from simple. Its graceful melodies often recall Czech folk song, and its rhythmic vitality reflects Dvořák’s national roots. More importantly, the work conveys a profound sincerity that continues to resonate with both singers and audiences. It is hardly surprising that this work is a favourite with choirs around the world.
Our Director for the day
Adrian Bawtree believes in the power of music to enrich lives, and as a professional musician he has seen first-hand the impact music and other creative activities can have on improving wellbeing.
He is an Old Blue, that is he was a pupil at Christ’s Hospital school where he studied the organ, from where he progressed to the Royal Academy of Music and then as Organ Scholar at Worcester College, Oxford. He has been church organist at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street; St Mary’s Church, Portsea and St Peter’s Church, Hammersmith. He studied orchestral conducting at the Royal College of Music on a post-graduate course, which he completed with distinction. His choral conducting appointments have included Christ's Hospital Choral SDociety, Worthing Choral Society, The Weald Choir of Crawley, Harpenden Choral Society, Guy’s King’s and Thomas’ Medical Schools Music Society, Southampton University Chamber Choir, Cantores Dominicae and The Canterbury Singers.
From 2000-11, he worked at Christ's Hospital School, initially as Organist and latterly as Director of Music. He followed this as one of the Assistant Organists at Canterbury Cathedral and taught the organ at The King’s School and St Edmund’s School in Canterbury.
Adrian is also a composer and arranger, having written for the theatre as well as larger cantatas based on; the life of St Peter (On This Rock), the battle of Trafalgar (Make More Sail) and events from World War 1, ‘Remembrance & Reconciliation’. He is a co-Director of the Kent Arts and Wellbeing partnership.
Those of us who remember Adrian when he was DoM at CHCS recall his rehearsals as fun and musical, and with Adrian’s brilliant musicality and quick sense of humour there’s no doubt this workshop will be both of those things.
The Workshop
Provisional timings are:
Registration - 10.00 a.m. for 10.30 start. Coffee and Tea provided as you arrive
13.00 to 13.45 - Short lunch break
13.45 to 16.00 - Continued workshop
A Tea or Coffee break will be taken in the afternoon
16.00 - Run through of the complete work
Our Accompanist
Our Accompanist for the day will be Helen Wharmby, who is our own choir’s accompanist and will be known to singers from other choirs in our area.
Book your place
Time, Date & Place :-
10.00 a.m. Saturday 1st November 2025
Big School, Christ's Hospital, Horsham
All are welcome but if you have sung Dvorak's ‘Mass in D major’ before you will enjoy the day all the more.
Terms and Conditions
Tickets are £25 each, with a reduction for members of Christ’s Hospital Choral Society. The ticket price includes refreshments in the morning and in the afternoon. You should bring your own lunch and please note there are no facilities to buy food at Christ's Hospital.
A copy of the music can be loaned to you on the day at a small additional cost, covering the hire charge CHCS have paid, for return at the end. You will be asked for a deposit of £10.00 cash which will be refunded at the end of the workshop on return of your copy. If you have your own copy feel free to bring it, regardless of the edition, although we are singing from the New Novello.
Full joining instructions, details about car parking and public transport etc will be emailed to all ticket purchasers a few days before the event.
In the meantime if you have any questions please email workshop@chchoralsoc.org