Chichester Singers to Perform in Sunrise Mass Concert at Chichester Cathedral

The Chichester Singers will take to the stage at Chichester Cathedral on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 pm to perform a concert titled Sunrise Mass. Under the direction of conductor Jonathan Willcocks, the concert will feature a diverse range of compositions, including Finzi's Magnificat, Purcell's Music for Soprano and Strings, Dyson's Hierusalem, Vaughan Williams' Music for Soprano and Strings, and Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass. The concert will also feature soprano Milly Forrest and Southern Pro Musica.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chichester Singers will perform in the Sunrise Mass concert at Chichester Cathedral on June 28, featuring a range of compositions by English and Norwegian composers.
• The concert will include works by Gerald Finzi, George Dyson, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Henry Purcell, and Ola Gjeilo, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and periods.
• Jonathan Willcocks, the conductor, has chosen to include a piece by Ola Gjeilo, a Norwegian composer who was influenced by England and now lives in New York.
• The concert will showcase two previously unrehearsed pieces, including Finzi's Magnificat, which has never been conducted by Willcocks before.
• Gerald Finzi and George Dyson are two British composers who have been somewhat overshadowed by more well-known composers, but their works are considered interesting and important.
• Dyson was a prolific choral composer and held important positions in the music world, including director of the Royal College of Music.
• The 2025 Festival of Chichester is pleased to welcome Edward Cooke Family Law as its principal sponsor, joining Chichester City Council as a generous supporter.

Statistics:

• 2025 Festival of Chichester welcomes Edward Cooke Family Law as its principal sponsor.
• Chichester City Council has been a generous supporter of the Festival since its inception.
• The concert will feature 5 compositions by different composers.
• Gerald Finzi's Magnificat is a concert piece written in the style of a church service, with contrast between aggressive and meek words.
• Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass has become well-known worldwide but has not been performed much in the UK.

Sources:

• "The News From Chichester" newsletter
• Wikipedia entry for Ola Gjeilo