A Choral Pilgrimage

MUSIC NEWS

Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC

A Choral Pilgrimage

With under two weeks to go before our choir sets off on their second UK-cathedral residency and choir pilgrimage, Director of Music Donald Hunt shares some more information about the day-to-day plans as well as the raison d’être for embarking on such a significant tour.

What is a cathedral residency?

Most Anglican Cathedrals in the UK haves roots as Benedictine monasteries which supported a community of monks who lived in the “close” and whose primary duty was to offer worship at fixed hours throughout the day (and night!). To carry the work of the daily “office” into the present day, many of these cathedrals are resourced with ancient “choral foundations,” which means they now employ a professional choir to offer daily Choral Evensong alongside residential clergy, locals and visitors to these ancient sites of pilgrimage. In most cathedrals, the choir consists of children singing the soprano line (“choristers”) who often receive compensation through discounted school tuition at the cathedral’s school and “lay clerks,” – professional alto, tenor and bass singers. It remains the case that, for many families, a chorister place is a ticket to a world-class education.

Because of their links with the school year, UK cathedral choirs take holiday from mid-July until the end of August. This is where our choir comes in: Maintaining the rhythm of daily choral worship – creating beauty for its own sake and drawing people closer to God – remains a top priority for UK cathedrals. When their choirs are on holiday, Anglican choirs from around the world are invited to apply to sing for a “residency.” In Lincoln Cathedral, our choir will be in residence for two days, and in St Paul’s Cathedral, they will be singing for an entire week of daily services.

Incidentally, after our choir departs St Paul’s, the baton will be passed to the Choir of St Mark’s Episcopal Church, San Antonio, Texas, and then the Choir of St Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas, and so on, until St Paul’s Cathedral choir returns from their well-deserved holiday in September.

What will the choir do when they're not singing?

It’s important to balance work and play, while taking account of the diverse needs and interests of a multi-generational group.

In Lincoln, the choir will receive a guided tour of Lincoln Cathedral as well as a visit to Lincoln Castle, where there exists one of the four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna Carta.

They’ll have a day trip to Cambridge, where they’ll be able to reciprocate the connection made with the Choir of King’s College this April through a private tour of the famous chapel (given by Director of Music, Daniel Hyde) and an opportunity to sing together under the breathtaking fan vaulting.

In London, the entire choir and entourage will attend the final Choral Evensong of the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral term, which will include chorister “valedictions” (graduations) and a sermon preached by Director of Music, Andrew Carwood. Other London highlights include Buckingham Palace, Wicked the musical and… for the children: a much-requested meal at McDonald’s – another enduring memory from the 2023 tour!

What are the hoped-for outcomes?

While we are “on tour” and “in residency,” this time is equally a pilgrimage. We undertake pilgrimage on behalf of a sending community, seeking the face and voice of God in a new place or way, and to grow as individuals and in relationship with one another. Sometimes we carry particular prayers, hopes or intentions. In this pilgrimage spirit, our chaplain, the Rev. Anna Rossi, will foster some of the meaning-making of our time.

When our choir did their last UK pilgrimage in 2023, we maintained a daily blog. Here’s what choir member Marilyn Gough wrote after a visit to hear the choir of York Minster:

“Our group was welcomed and given a preferred seating position so we all could appreciate the supreme musicianship and professionalism of the choir. Such an inspiring experience! It was a great example of how deeply moving music can be when it is well-executed. I was struck by how very expressively the psalms were sung. 

In conversation with several Young Choristers and other Cathedral Choir members, it was clear that they were inspired too: “The choir was so professional — everything is done with such care,” “The sound of the choir and the organ in that building was so cool,” “I thought Christ Church Cathedral was big, but this is HUGE!”

When asked to reflect on their experience immediately following this trip, another choir member wrote:

“Singing Evensong at Westminster Abbey was truly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. The architectural beauty of the place and its tremendous cultural and historical significance made it an utterly unforgettable experience.”

The legacy of this pilgrimage remains and can be seen in our Youth Choir, recently formed because of interest from alumni of our Young Chorister program who wanted to continue singing at the Cathedral through high school. The founding members were all among those choristers who travelled together in 2023, laughing, playing, praying, crying, and working together to make something bigger than themselves.

How can I hear the choir before they depart?

This year’s Summer Recital Series opens Sunday, July 5 at 2pm, with our very own Cathedral choirs. Sixty voices raised in song will showcase repertoire for their upcoming. Featuring staples of the Anglican choral tradition, this concert will span multiple centuries from early English music by Thomas Tallis and Adrian Batten to contemporary music by Canadian composer Stephanie Martin. Under the direction of Donald Hunt, this is a rare opportunity to hear the Young Choristers, Youth Choir, and Cathedral Choir together in concert!

More Information

How can I get updates from the tour?

Follow the Cathedral Choirs on their tour to the United Kingdom (July 7 to July 20, 2026) by signing up for daily Choir Tour updates. They’re looking forward to sharing photos and stories from their experiences singing in two of the great cathedrals in the UK: Lincoln Cathedral, and St Paul's Cathedral, London.

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Today: Free Organ Recital

Coming up today at 12.30 pm is a special Lunchtime Organ Music recital with our gap-year organ scholars Oriel Chapman and Marianne Robinson. Oriel and Marianne, both from the UK, have spent the last 9 months immersed in cathedral life here in Victoria playing for services, singing in the choir, and working behind the scenes at the Cathedral School and in the Music Department.

Come out and support these two budding artists as they prepare to return to the UK this summer to begin their University studies. Entry is by donation. See you there!

Lunchtime Organ Music

Oriel Chapman and Marianne Robinson

Today: Friday June 26, 12.30 p.m.

Admission by donation.

Pride Eucharist and the Pride Pick-up Choir

This Sunday, June 28, the cathedral will host a special Eucharist service to celebrate Pride Month. Regardless of how you identify, or how you relate to the divine, you are warmly invited to join us, knowing that all sexual orientations and gender identities will be affirmed and proudly celebrated.

At the Pride Eucharist, there's also the opportunity for you to sing in the Pride Pick-up Choir. All singing abilities welcome! More info on the service and the pick-up choir here.

Save the dates for the Summer Recital Series

The Summer Recital Series at Christ Church Cathedral returns for its 64th season on a new day and time. Each Sunday in July and August at 2.00 p.m., the cathedral will welcome local and international musicians displaying artistry across a wide range of musical styles and instruments. From pianists to wind players, string musicians to the cathedral’s own sixty-voice choir, each concert will offer a unique experience, transporting listeners into the world of classical music!

Admission to the concerts is by donation, allowing attendees to contribute according to their own means and supporting the continuation of this cherished chamber music series. See you there!

Full Schedule

The Choir of Merton College, Oxford sings in Victoria

Labour Day, Monday, September 7, 2.30 p.m.

Described by Gramophone as “one of the UK’s finest choral ensembles”, the Choir of Merton College is known as one of the most exciting University choirs in the UK. In addition to singing in the thirteenth century Chapel during term, an extensive touring schedule has seen the choir perform in the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Sweden. Conducted by Benjamin Nicholas, this hour-long concert will focus on English choral music from Orlando Gibbons to Matthew Martin, featuring Edward Bairstow’s “Blessed City, heavenly Salem” and Herbert Howells’ “Take him, earth, for cherishing.”

Admission is "Pay what you can." You must register in advance.

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Liturgical Music this Week

**Please note that Sunday mornings are 10.30 a.m. combined services through September 6.**

Sunday June 28

10.30 a.m. Cathedral Eucharist*

Prelude: Boëlmann Prière à Notre Dame

Setting: Lassus Missa octavi toni

Anthem: Stephanie Martin Ave verum corpus

Voluntary: Boëlmann Menuet gothique

4.00 p.m. Pride Eucharist*

Prelude: Heron Voluntary in G

Responses: Philip Moore

Setting: Proulx A Community Mass

Anthem: Mark McDonald There's a wideness in God's mercy

Voluntary: Léfébure-Wely Sortie in E-flat

Wednesday Choral Evensong will return next September at the start of the school term. Please join us for Said Evening Prayer at 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For our full Worship & Music listing, visit our website.

*Livestreamed online