Southern Cathedrals Festival 2008

Winchester is very pleased to be hosting again the Southern Cathedrals Festival.

This will be the 49th consecutive Festival in what is now one of the most important musical events in the South of England.

This year we shall be celebrating anniversaries of three major composers. Ralph Vaughan Williams (2008 marks the 50th anniversary of his death) is arguably the most quintessentially English of all composers and several of his works will be sung, including the sublime Mass in G minor and his uplifting Te Deum in G. The works of Olivier Messiaen (centenary of his birth) are central to the organists’ repertoire and the beautiful Le Banquet céleste will add a moment of serenity to our Friday evening concert, ‘The Feast’. 2008 is also the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Blow, who is often overshadowed by his contemporary Henry Purcell but whose music is nonetheless inventive. Salvator mundi and I beheld and lo, a great multitude show the variety and skill of this oft-neglected composer.

Whilst the services are the backbone of the Festival, the other events offer chances to hear other music and great artists. This year it is a particular pleasure to welcome John Scott to the Festival to give the Clement McWilliam Memorial Recital, as well as taking a masterclass with the boy choristers of Winchester and Salisbury. After many years at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, he is now Director of Music at St. Thomas’ Church, Fifth Avenue in New York and his programme comprises some well-known favourites alongside more unusual repertoire. It is also a great pleasure to welcome Alice Neary back to Winchester for a recital of unaccompanied cello music in the beauty of Winchester College Chapel. Southern Sinfonia joins us again for the final concert which will include JS Bach’s wonderful Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 with his incomparable setting of the Magnificat. To end each day, the Lay Clerks of Winchester (and friends) will be keeping One Foot in the Nave!

These are just some of the delights that await you in Winchester this July and, whether you are a seasoned festivalgoer or a newcomer, you will assured of a warm welcome!

Andrew Lumsden – Winchester Cathedral
David Halls – Salisbury Cathedral
Sarah Baldock – Chichester Cathedral

Every morning of the Festival, all are welcome to attend Mattins at 7.40am, followed by a service of Holy Communion at 8.00am.

WEDNESDAY 16th JULY

9.00 for 9.30 p.m.
FRINGE REVUE: ONE FOOT IN THE NAVE
devised and directed by Simon Irwin
Venue: The Festival Marquee (Garden of No. 1 The Close)
Tickets: £12 (unreserved) to include glass of wine

THURSDAY 17th JULY
10.00 a.m.
CHORAL MATTINS
sung by the Boy Choristers and Lay Clerks of Winchester
Stanford Morning Service in B flat
Harris Behold, the tabernacle of God

2.15 p.m.
CONCERT by Boys & Gentlemen of the three Cathedral Choirs
with Philip White-Jones (organ)
Vaughan Williams Te Deum in G
Blow Salvator mundi
Purcell Hear my prayer
Boyce The Lord is King
Parry My soul, there is a country
Ireland Ex ore innocentium
Ireland Greater love hath no man
Parry Hear my words, ye people
with organ solos
Tickets: £12.50 (unreserved)

4.30 p.m.
CHORAL EVENSONG
sung by the Boy Choristers and Lay Vicars of Salisbury
Blow in G
Bairstow Save us, O Lord

7.00 p.m.
THE CLEMENT McWILLIAM MEMORIAL ORGAN RECITAL
John Scott, St. Thomas’ Church, New York
Mendelssohn Overture to ‘St Paul’
Handel Concerto in F Op. 4 No. 5
JS Bach Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733
SS Wesley Larghetto in F sharp minor
Stanford Fantasia & Toccata in D minor
Messiaen Prélude
Harvey Toccata for Organ and Tape
Mulet Tu es petra
Tickets: £10 (unreserved)

FRIDAY 18th JULY

11.00 a.m.
FESTIVAL EUCHARIST sung by the Boys & Gentlemen of the three Cathedral Choirs
Preacher: The Right Reverend Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester
Vaughan Williams Mass in G minor
Messiaen O sacrum convivium

1.00 p.m.
FESTIVAL LUNCHEON in the Festival Marquee
Admission by ticket only: £19.50 ( waitress service)

2.30 p.m.
MASTERCLASS with John Scott in Winchester College Chapel
and the Boy Choristers of Salisbury and Winchester
Tickets: £6 (unreserved)

4.30 p.m.
CHORAL EVENSONG sung by the Choir of Chichester Cathedral
Archer Chichester Service
Parsons Ave Maria

7.00 p.m.
CONCERT: THE FEAST — A foretaste of Heaven through the Eucharist
The Girl Choristers of Salisbury and Winchester & Gentlemen of the three Cathedral Choirs
Finzi Welcome Sweet and Sacred Feast
Howells Behold O God our defender
Bainton And I saw a new heaven
Berkeley The Lord is my shepherd
Byrd Sing joyfully, Ave verum
Victoria O sacrum convivium
Vaughan Williams O taste and see; Come my way; Love bade me welcome
Villette O salutaris hostia
Duruflé Tantum ergo
Messiaen Le banquet
Tickets: £18, £14, £12, £10

SATURDAY 19th JULY

11.00 a.m. in Winchester College Chapel
RECITAL : Alice Neary (cello)
Bach Suite No 2 in D minor BWV 1008
Vine Inner World
Vasks Das Buch
Bach Suite No 3 in C major BWV 1009
Tickets: £8 (unreserved)

from 12.30 p.m.
BUFFET LUNCHEON in the Festival Marquee
Admission by ticket only: £17.50

4.30 p.m.
CHORAL EVENSONG
sung by the Girl Choristers of Salisbury and Winchester & the Gentlemen of the three Cathedral Choirs
Stanford Latin Magnificat
O’Regan Nunc dimittis (Festival commission)
Vaughan Williams Antiphon

7.00 p.m.
FESTIVAL CONCERT
The Boy Choristers & Gentlemen of the three Cathedral Choirs with Southern Sinfonia
Handel The King shall rejoice
Purcell Evening Hymn
?Gombert Lugebat David Absalom
Blow I beheld and lo, a great multitude
JS Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 BWV 1050
JS Bach Magnificat BWV 243
Tickets: £20, £15, £12

SUNDAY 20th JULY
Services will be sung by the Choirs of Winchester Cathedral

INFORMATION

Festival Bookings and Information
01962 857275
boxoffice@winchester-cathedral.org.uk
BOOK ONLINE

BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS & Method of Payment
All ticket sales will be handled this year by Winchester Cathedral Box Office, whose details are below.
Please note that Patrons must book using a booking form.
(see below for more information on becoming a patron).

By post
Please complete your Booking Form and return it with your cheque or credit card details to:
Winchester Cathedral Box Office
Visitors’ Centre,
The Close,
Winchester,
Hampshire,
SO23 9LS
United Kingdom

By telephone
Please telephone 01962 857275 to make your booking
We accept VISA, Mastercard and Maestro (Not AMEX)
Our opening hours are normally: Monday to Friday, 10.00 – 16.30; Saturday 11.00 – 15.00; Sunday – Closed
Please ensure that you let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when booking meals.

On-Line
BOOK ONLINE
We accept VISA, Mastercard and Maestro (Not AMEX)
Please ensure that you let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when booking meals.

In Person
We are located in the entrance of the Cathedral Visitors’ Centre, directly opposite the main entrance to the Cathedral. Our opening hours are normally: Monday to Friday, 10.00 – 16.30; Saturday 11.00 – 15.00; Sunday – Closed

On the door
Ticket sales will commence on the door 45 minutes before the start time of each ticketed event (except lunches). However, we highly recommend that you book in advance to avoid lengthy queues at the start of concerts. The Box Office will remain open until 16.00 on Saturday 19th July.

International Bookings
If you are wishing to become a patron and book in advance of internet bookings being available, please contact us by e-mail on boxoffice@winchester-cathedral.org.uk to make arrangements. If after 12th May, we recommend that you book online and select to collect from the Box Office when you arrive. Our international telephone number is + 44 1962 857275.

Ticket Distribution
Although bookings may be made at any time, patrons have priority booking until 12th May. Patrons’ tickets will therefore be distributed immediately upon booking (unless collection is requested). Non-patrons’ bookings will be allocated in chronological order from 12th May and distributed as soon as possible thereafter.

Ticket Collection
We can offer postage or collection options on all ticket purchases, at the rate of 75p per booking for postage. This can be in advance or on the door at the event. However, if you are collecting at the event, please arrive in good time to do so. The doors will open 45 minutes before each event. No tickets will be posted after 18th July.

Booking Fees
There is a booking fee of £1.50 per booking for all postal, telephone and internet sales, which will be added automatically to your purchase at the time of booking.

PATRONS OF THE FESTIVAL

Our Patrons’ support is vital to the continuation of the Festival, especially in the current climate of declining sponsorship. If you are not already a Patron please do give it serious consideration and invest in the future of our cathedrals’ music in worship. Details of subscription rates are on the booking form accompanying this leaflet: if you are able to continue subscribing on an annual basis by Banker’s Order, this stream of steady income is extremely valuable to Southern Cathedrals Festival; a Gift-Aided subscription is even more valuable, as the Festival can reclaim the tax. The necessary forms may be obtained either by ticking the appropriate box on the booking form or from the Winchester Cathedral Box Office (see above). In return for their support, Patrons have priority booking until 12th May for two tickets for each event per subscription. However, please note that if you wish to reserve three or more seats for any event you may take out more than one subscription — in which case we will try to allocate seats together. We regret that it is not possible to guarantee that non-Patrons’ seats will be available next to Patrons’ seats already allocated.

Young Patrons' Reception
An opportunity for the under-23s to get together for light refreshments and a chance to socialise, in between evensong and the evening concert on Saturday 19 July.

Former choristers, young musicians, students and other friends and supporters are all welcome to come along to this informal gathering in the Undercroft, next to the Education Centre.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
When booking by post, cheques should be made payable to Winchester Cathedral Box Office but please leave the amount (words and figures) blank and cross it with the words: an amount; not exceeding £ (this being the maximum amount). This will obviate the necessity of refunds in case we are unable to allocate the seats of your choice. International visitors: please see above for details of how to book.

PAYMENT BY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS
We accept VISA, Mastercard and Maestro.

REFUNDS
We regret that we are unable to offer refunds for return tickets unless they can be resold, and no refunds will be available for amounts of £10 or less. In exceptional circumstances refunds may be given at the sole discretion of the Honorary Treasurer, who may be contacted via the Box Office.

CATERING
All refreshments will be provided by the award-winning catering team at Winchester Cathedral.
As in previous years the Festival Lunch (Friday 18th July) and Buffet Luncheon (Saturday 19th July) will need to be pre-booked by Monday 14th July. Details are shown on the Booking Form and meal tickets will be sent with other Festival tickets. Please ensure that you let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when booking meals.

Set Meals

FRIDAY 18th JULY
FESTIVAL LUNCH in the Festival Marquee
(waitress service)

Chilled watercress soup with cheese straws
Scottish salmon with fresh Hampshire asparagus
served with a lime crème fraiche
A selection of cold seasonal salads
Hot minted new potatoes
Home made herb rolls
Cherry and Chocolate Tart with cream

Meat
Timbale of smoked chicken bound with avocado
Cornets of roast beef with horseradish cream and asparagus
Honey roasted ham with mustard pickle

Fish

Smoked trout mousse with chive
Potted salmon with lemon and dill
Brochette of king prawn and monkfish

Vegetarian
Char grilled vegetable Panini with basil
Slow roasted peppers stuffed with plum tomatoes
Vegetable herb pancake gateaux with cream cheese

All the above served with the following from the salad buffet

French bean and olive salad
Couscous with pine nuts and butternut squash
Sweet potato and mustard salad
Cucumber and mint
Tomato, feta cheese and spring onion salad
Freshly baked rolls
Raspberry tart with coconut cream
Coffee and baileys mousse

Coffee or tea

In response to feedback from previous Festivals, Afternoon Tea will not be served formally; instead, a full range of home-made cakes, biscuits, sandwiches, baguettes, and drinks will be served in the friendly atmosphere of the Café Garden Marquee - to be found within the Visitors’ Centre.

After Concerts
Wine and soft drinks will be served in the Undercroft after the Thursday and Friday evening concerts. Please ask Concert Stewards for details if you are uncertain as to where to go.

THE FESTIVAL CLUB
The Festival Club will be open from 09.00 to 19.00 (17.00 on Sunday) from Thursday 18th July until Sunday 20th July. For the admission fee of £2 per day (£5 for the Festival period) all the facilities of the Festival Club can be made available to you; the Club will be situated in the comfortable surroundings of the Woodhouse Suite in the Visitors’ Centre (opposite the west end of the Cathedral). Refreshments will be available, including lunches, suppers, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, tea/coffee and cakes. A selection of newspapers and magazines will also be on hand. During Festival Club hours there will be a member of the Cathedral’s hospitality team on duty to answer any queries and give directions when needed.

Festival Club members will be able to pre-order from our daily range of Chef’s Specials on Thursday and Sunday. Menus will be displayed for orders to be taken before 10.30 a.m.

PROGRAMMES
Programmes can be ordered in advance when making a booking using any method. A voucher will be issued, enabling collection from the Festival Club during its opening hours.

CATHEDRAL FACILITIES
The Cathedral will generally be open to all visitors and pilgrims from 08.30 to 18.00 every day of the Festival. However, access to some or all of the cathedral may be limited by services and other events taking place and there will be no tourist visiting from one hour before an event is due to start. There will be guided tours of the cathedral, tower and roof, and crypt (if dry). The Cathedral operates a charging policy for its tourist visitors. Festival-goers may gain access by showing the Festival Programme or tickets for a future SCF event but are asked to consider making a generous donation towards the £3.5M annual costs of maintaining the building and its mission, in one of the collection boxes around the building. Full details of a visit to Winchester Cathedral are available from www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk.

SERVICES
Admission to all services is free but there will normally be a collection taken for the maintenance of the Cathedral and its worship.

FACILITIES FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Winchester Cathedral is fully accessible, with ramps, a chair lift and an induction loop. If you have a special need beyond this please indicate this with your booking.

ACCOMMODATION
The Tourist Information Centre offers a list of excellent accommodation around Winchester, as well as other useful information for visitors. Phone 01962 840500 or visit www.visitwinchester.co.uk

PARKING
We regret that there is no parking in The Close during the Festival but there is an efficient Park & Ride scheme operating in Winchester and long-stay/short-stay car parks within the city boundaries. Full details of parking facilities are available from the Tourist Information Centre. Phone 01962 840500 or visit www.visitwinchester.co.uk. If weather permits Festival Patrons may use Elizabeth Mead (Thursday and Friday) and New Piece (Saturday), which can be accessed via Chesil Street and Wharf Hill – follow AA signs when arriving in the city.

TOILETS
The Visitors’ Centre toilet facilities (including those for people with disabilities) will be open from 09.30 to 19.00 each day of the festival.

Wednesday 16 July
2130	Fringe

Thursday 17 July
1000	MATTINS sung by Winchester Boys and Lay Clerks
1415	CONCERT by The Boys and Men of the Three Cathedral Choirs
1630	EVENSONG - Salisbury Boys and Men
1900	ORGAN RECITAL by John Scott
2130	Fringe

Friday 18 July
1100	FESTIVAL EUCHARIST – All boys and men Preacher: The Bishop of Gloucester
1430	MASTERCLASS with John Scott in College Chapel Salisbury and Winchester Boys
1630	EVENSONG - Chichester
1900	CONCERT – Girls, Lay Clerks and Lay Vicars of Winchester and Salisbury with the Lay Clerks of Chichester 'THE FEAST – A foretaste of heaven through the Eucharist'
2130	Fringe

Saturday 19 July
1100	Alice Neary (Unacc. cello) in College Chapel
1630	EVENSONG - Girls and Lay Clerks of Winchester and Salisbury with the Lay Clerks of Chichester
1900	CONCERT - Boys, Lay Clerks & Lay Vicars of the Three Cathedrals with Southern Sinfonia

Sunday 20th July
The choirs of Chichester and Salisbury return to their home Cathedrals for their last day of choir term.
Winchester's Services are as follows:
0735	Mattins (said)
0800	Holy Communion (said)
1100	Sung Eucharist
1530	Choral Evensong