Three Choirs Festival

YouTube video by Three Choirs Festival Gavin Higgins | Associate Composer 2026–2028

Meet our assoicate composer Gavin Higgins! - Gavin spoke to us about being the first in the programme, his relationship with Gloucester Cathedral and how it feels to be part of our 300 year history.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQV...

The Three Choirs Festival announces Andrew Reid as the new Artistic Director of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival, following his appointment as Hereford Cathedral’s Director of Music and Conductor of the Hereford Choral Society.

Read more: 3choirs.org/news/andrew-...

A photograph of Ivor Novello

Ivor Novello, the Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer was born on this day 133 years ago. Keep an eye out for our full programme in March, where you'll see some of his best known music!

YouTube video by Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge - Topic Never Weather Beaten Sail

Advent Calendar | Day 1️⃣6️⃣ | Charles Wood’s ‘Never Weather Beaten Sail’ is a masterpiece of English part-song writing, setting a poignant poem by Thomas Campion.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlYx...

YouTube video by VOCES8 VOCES8: A Hymn to the Virgin - Benjamin Britten

Advent Calendar | Day 1️⃣6️⃣ | Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Hymn to the Virgin’ is a hauntingly beautiful example of his ability to blend ancient tradition with modern sensitivity.

Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z0O...

YouTube video by Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Topic Parry: I Was Glad

Advent Calendar | Day 1️⃣5️⃣ | Sir Hubert Parry’s majestic anthem, ‘I was glad’, is a cornerstone of English choral tradition and a celebration of entering a sacred space.
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeQY...

YouTube video by Südtirol in concert Monteverdi | Marienvesper - Wiltener Sängerknaben, J. Stecher, Academia Jacobus Stainer

Advent Calendar | Day 1️⃣2️⃣ | Monteverdi's 'Vespro della beata vergine' of 1610 is a landmark piece of on an enormous scale. It demands a rich array of period instruments and huge vocal forces to celebrate the glory of the Virgin Mary.
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l24k...

YouTube video by Südtirol in concert Beethoven | Mass in C major Op. 86

Advent Calendar | Day 1️⃣1️⃣| Beethoven's 'Mass in C' offers a profound and uplifting experience, a cornerstone of choral repertoire. This majestic work is perfectly suited for the rich and vibrant sound of the Three Choirs Festival Chorus!
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOjr...

YouTube video by Cecilia McDowall - Topic Rain, Steam and Speed

Advent Calendar | Day 🔟 | Cecelia McDowall's exciting 'Rain, Steam and Speed' is based on Turner’s painting, 'Rain, Steam and Speed, The Great Western Railway' which depicts a broad gauge engine steaming across Maidenhead Viaduct. 🚅
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6iX...

YouTube video by Sergio Cánovas Symphony No.10 "Sinfonia da Camera" - Edmund Rubbra

Advent Calendar | Day 9️⃣ | Rubbra's 'Sinfonia da Camera' brings a dramatic and intense flare to next year's programme. This expressive work is sure to fill the acoustic of Gloucester Cathedral!
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRbQ...

YouTube video by Rodders Charles Villiers Stanford : Songs of the Fleet for baritone, chorus and orchestra Op. 117 (1909-10)

Advent Calendar | Day 8️⃣ | Stanford takes us on a voyage of the oceans in his song cycle 'Songs of the Fleet'.
Listen Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm-G...

I'd love you to join our Christmas traditions at Standish. You will find our wreath already on the front door, and the tree's pine scent spreads through the house. Christmas is a time for family and friends, amazing food, and of course, music. I do hope you'll celebrate with us at the Abbot's Wing.

A Three Choirs Festive Gathering at Standish | Three Choirs Festival Enjoy a festive reception and buffet lunch, complete with Christmas music and carols performed by the Lay Clerks of Gloucester Cathedral. Don't miss our ex

There's still time to book your tickets to our festive gathering at Standish! We would like to thank long-time festival supporter Louise Nicholson for hosting this event. Here's a message from her about what Christmas is like at the Abbot's Wing:

3choirs.org/events/a-thr...

YouTube video by olla-vogala Francis Poulenc - Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings in G minor

Advent Calendar | Day 5️⃣ | The wonderful Katelyn Emerson combines her skilful organ playing with the power of the Philharmonia Orchestra on 27 July in a performance of Poulenc's thrilling Organ Concerto.

Listen Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RduL...

YouTube video by Philharmonia Orchestra - Topic Cockaigne Overture, Op. 40 "In London Town"

Advent Calendar | Day 4️⃣ | The Philharmonia Orchestra play Elgar's lively 'Cockaigne Overture'! Explore London through this cheerful and colourful musical portrait of the capital. 🇬🇧
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMZi...

YouTube video by Latvian Radio Choir - Topic All-Night Vigil, Op. 37: Hail, O Virgin Mother (Ave Maria)

Advent Calendar | Day 3️⃣ | Ex Cathedra joins us once again at Gloucester Cathedral for a performance of Rachmaninov's sensational 'Vespers' (All Night Vigil) on 26 July. This is a performance not to be missed!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI9B...

We'd love to see you in Gloucester next summer! ☀️

Sing My Story – Big Give Combined in-school, music, song writing & story writing workshops for over 200 primary schoolchildren, focussed in socially deprived areas.Children discover, create & enjoy music together, learn to wr...

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is now LIVE! Double your donation, and make a difference this christmas! 🙌☃️

We're raising funds for our 2026 Participation Project 'Sing My Story'.

donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

YouTube video by Philharmonia Orchestra - Topic Belshazzar's Feast: I. Thus spake Isaiah

Advent Calendar | Day 2️⃣ | Walton's exquisite 'Belshazzar's Feast' closes the first evening concert of Gloucester 2026! This piece is a Festival Chorus favourite and will once again grace the stage of the Three Choirs for the first time since 2013!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSP9...

YouTube video by Philharmonia Orchestra - Topic Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 55: I. Andante nobilmente e semplice - Allegro

Advent Calendar | It’s the 1st of December, meaning we kick off our 2025 advent calendar! 🎄
First up - Elgar’s breathtaking Symphony No 1. Composed in 1908, this is one of only two symphonies that Elgar composed.
Listen here 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yidn...

Festival Archivist Simon Carpenter remembers Anthony Boden (1938–2025) | Three Choirs Festival One of my most prized treasures is a copy of Herbert Brewer’s memoirs signed by his successor as Gloucester organist, Herbert Sumsion. It was given to me

The Three Choirs Festival remembers Anthony Boden (1938–2025).

Anthony was Administrator of the Gloucester Festival, a musicologist and author of the definitive 'History of the Three Choirs Festival'.

YouTube video by Three Choirs Festival A message from President of the Philharmonia Orchestra James Buckle

We're thrilled that the Philharmonia Orchestra are our Orchestra in Residence. After 13 years and over 65 performances, which has been your favourite? 🙌

James Buckle, President & Principal Bass Trombone sends this message ahead of Gloucester 2026 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0W...

We'd like to wish our American Friends, and all those across the pond, a very happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
We had an incredible time at the American Friends' Reception at Hereford, and look forward to welcoming you to Gloucester next summer!

'I didn’t even realise I had an accent until other students laughed at it' | Composer Gavin Higgins on classical music and class The issue isn’t the artform; it’s access — and every child should have access to music

'I didn't even realise I had an accent until other students laughed at it'
Our Associate Composer Gavin Higgins writes in Gramophone on music and class.

HM The King at a Three Choirs Festival Concert.

We'd like to wish our Royal Patron, His Majesty The King, a very happy 77th birthday 🎂🎈

A Three Choirs Festive Gathering at Standish | Three Choirs Festival Enjoy a festive reception and buffet lunch, complete with Christmas music and carols performed by the Lay Clerks of Gloucester Cathedral. Don't miss our ex

There's still time to book for our Festive Gathering at Standish!
Enjoy a festive reception and buffet lunch, complete with Christmas music and carols performed by the Lay Clerks of Gloucester Cathedral. Don't miss our exciting raffle, featuring top prizes like tickets for a Gloucester 2026 concert!

We're just three weeks away from this year's Big Give Christmas Challenge! 🎄

Who remembers our Gloucester 2023 'What the Lark Saw' performance? Our fantastic community groups and schools took to the stage to sing and play music inspired by Vaughan Williams and the Gloucestershire countryside.

The Choral: 'It's got to be about us' says Huddersfield choir The Choral closely resembles the story of Huddersfield Choral Society during World War One.

Did you catch the release of 'The Choral' last week? This film follows the progress of a small choral society as they prepare a recording of 'The Dream of Gerontius'.

This piece is a Three Choirs favourite - and you can catch it next summer at Gloucester 2026!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A Christmas Soirée at Standish | Three Choirs Festival Join fellow supporters of the Three Choirs Festival at an exclusive fundraiser, as dedicated Patron Louise Nicholson opens up her beautiful Cotswold hom

FUNDRAISER | Join fellow supporters of the Three Choirs Festival at an exclusive fundraiser, as dedicated Patron Louise Nicholson opens up her beautiful Cotswold home for a celebration of Christmas cheer.

Abbot's Wing, Standish | 12:30pm | Sun 14 Dec | Tickets £50

🎟 3choirs.org/events/a-chr...

Patricia Routledge: Keeping Up Appearances star dies at 96 She also starred in Alan Bennett's TV monologues and played the BBC's amateur sleuth Hetty Wainthropp.

The Three Choirs Festival is saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge. Her support of the work of the festival over many years has been sincerely appreciated, and her encouragement of young artists leaves a lasting legacy on our musical landscape.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...