During the afternoon of the Christ Church Association Open House event on 19 September, we were delighted to welcome alumni and Old Boys of Christ Church Cathedral School – and former members of college choirs and former choristers – to sing a special celebratory Evensong with the Cathedral Choir, marking 500 years of music at Christ Church. Following an afternoon rehearsal, participants will sang a service featuring music by Christ Church composers. 

Patrick Joiner, a chorister at the Cathedral School from 1972 to 1977, thoroughly enjoyed the experience:

'Whilst it is easy to look back with rose tinted spectacles, I genuinely count these days among the happiest of my life. Although I was a chorister at Exeter College (very much the second team to the Cathedral), I still discovered a love of choral music that has faded little over the years.

Singing music written by composers who have a direct link with the cathedral; Goodall, Watson and Walton was a real treat. Although I will confess to some apprehension about my ability to do it justice, there were enough competent singers around me to allow me to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

To sing with the current choristers along with the superb singers of the Frideswide Voices under the expert leadership of Peter Holder was a wonderful experience and to be part of a sound that has resonated so beautifully throughout the Cathedral for the last 500 years was a privilege. The reminders of happy years in Oxford made it all the more memorable. Hopefully the joyful noise we raised to the Lord, was of sufficient quality that His earthly representatives in the Dean and Chapter, not to mention the Director of Music, feel it is an experience that bears repeating!'