Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum
'Tewkesbury Abbey is more than fortunate to have such an excellent choir as this.'
Simon Bell Director of Schola Cantorum
Forthcoming
SERVICES & CONCERTS
AUTUMN - WINTER 2024/25
During term time, services are sung on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 5.30pm.
Thursday 5 September, 5.30pm:
First Evensong of the academic year
Sunday 13 October, 10.30am:
Sung Eucharist including surplicing of Choristers
Tuesday 12 November, 5.30pm:
Choral Evensong at Dean Close School Chapel, sung by Schola Cantorum and Dean Close School Chapel Choir
Sunday 1st November, 6.00pm: Advent Carol Service
Tuesday 10th December, 6.45pm: A Service of Lessons and Carols
Saturday 14th December, 7.00pm:
Handel - Messiah
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum with The Bristol Ensemble
Director of Schola Cantorum: Simon Bell
Organist: Carleton Etherington
For further information about the Choir and their activities, please contact: Melissa Friessner-Day scholacantorum@deanclose org uk or 01242 258000 www.scholacantorum.org.uk www.deanclose.org.uk
Being aChorister
in Schola Cantorum
Receiving an excellent training which could lead to choral scholarships at Senior School and University (Former choristers and scholars from Dean Close have frequently held choral and organ scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge Colleges and leading music conservatoires).
Tours to the Netherlands (2022), Sweden (2019) and France (2017).
Participating in CD recordings, television and radio broadcasts The Choir regularly broadcasts Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3.
Developing self-reliance and self-discipline; working as part of a team and performing to a professional standard.
Attending Dean Close Preparatory School and enjoying all the facilities the School has to offer. Choristers are encouraged to play at least one instrument and receive free singing lessons
Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey was founded in 1087 as a Benedictine Community. Two choirs sing at services on five days each week: Schola Cantorum (boy and girl choristers and professional lay clerks) sing the weekday choral services and the Abbey Choir (boys and girls, ladies and men) sing the Sunday services.
Schedule
Choristers rehearse on five mornings each week and before the services they sing. There are occasional weekend and holiday commitments, but no regular Christmas or Easter commitments
Auditions
At audition we are looking for a clear voice, a quick musical ear and an enthusiasm for singing. Candidates will be asked to sing a hymn or song of their choice and undertake some ear tests. No previous musical training is necessary.
TEWKESBURY ABBEY SCHOLA CANTORUM
Messiah Handel
S W E E T WA S T H E S O N G
Our latest album, Sweet was the Song, features contemporary music for Christmas It includes nine new works which have been commissioned for the choir. Copies are available online and through streaming platforms
Contacts
If your son or daughter is interested in becoming a chorister, please contact our admissions department to register your interest and request further details of both the school and the choir. Both day and boarding places are available to choristers 01242 258001 dcpsregistrar@deanclose.org.uk
Should you wish for your son or daughter to have an informal meeting to discuss a choristership, please contact Simon Bell, Director of Schola Cantorum 01242 258091 sabell@deanclose.org.uk
Saturday 14th December 2024 at 7pm Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum Bristol Ensemble
Soprano: Philippa Hyde
Alto: Nicholas Hariades
Tenor: Ed Lyon
Bass: Rober t Rice
Conductor: Simon Bell
£18 and £15
online from www.ticketsource.co.uk or from The Abbey Shop 01684 856148
For further information about the choir and their activities, please contact Melissa Friessner-Day 01242 258000 scholacantorum@deanclose.org.uk
For information regarding the Choral Scholarship Fund and giving to the Choral Scholarship Fund, please contact the Abbey Office
The Abbey Office, Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5RZ Email: foundation@tewkesburyabbey.org.uk www.tewkesburyabbeyfoundation.co.uk
Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey - Father Nick Davies Headmaster of Dean Close Preparatory School - Paddy Moss Organist of Tewkesbury Abbey - Carleton Etherington
www.scholacantorum.org.uk www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk www.deanclose.org.uk