Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong follows the same pattern each day: the opening responses (sung), the appointed psalms which are chanted by the choir, the Magnificat (The Song of Mary, 'My Soul doth Magnify the Lord'), the first lesson (read by a junior member of College), the Nunc Dimittis (The Song of Simeon, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace'), the second lesson (read by a senior member), the Creed (said), prayers, anthem and hymn. The choir has one of the largest libraries of any choral foundation in Britain and although many of the words remain the same each evening (as in the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis'), the settings of these words provided by composers from the 16th century onwards makes for an unequalled tradition of great variety.
Sunday Morning Eucharist
The music sung on Sunday mornings is chosen from a huge repertoire of settings of the words of the Mass, representing composers from every century since the 1500’s. The five sections of the mass sung by the Choir are: the Kyrie, Gloria, Creed (plainsong) Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. The words of the Mass have inspired some wonderful music and on certain Sundays, the Eucharist is celebrated as Solemn Eucharist with full liturgical rites and incense.
Orchestral Masses
There is usually one Sunday Eucharist a term in which the Choir performs an orchestral Mass with soloists. The Choir and Orchestra sit at the West end (rear) of the Chapel for these services.
