It was great to welcome back so many former choristers and choral scholars to our 'Return to Evensong' last term. The reunion brought dozens of former Choristers and Choral Scholars back to the choir stalls, where they joined current choir members under the direction of Director of Cathedral Music, Mr Ross Cobb, for Choral Evensong. 

The music list featured firm choral favourites where Parry's I Was Glad and Stanford in B-flat were among the works sung during the service. For some, it had been years since they had last sung Evensong at the Cathedral. For others, decades. Yet before long, the sound of former and current choristers singing side by side felt entirely natural. Once a Chorister, always a Chorister!

Following the service, former Choristers joined current Choir members, Choir parents and Cathedral staff in the Chapter House for Choir Tea – a Thursday evening tradition for our Choir which has been going on since at least the 1920s. Current Music Captain and former Head Chorister William Wheeler welcomed everyone as Master of Ceremonies before Rev Michael Deasey OAM reflected on the enduring influence of the Cathedral Choir and the friendships forged through it. 

The evening also provided an opportunity to share plans for the School's upcoming Giving Day in September, which will support the Choristers, Performing Arts and Creative Arts Trust. Return to Evensong did exactly what it set out to do. It brought former Choristers back to the Cathedral to sing together again, reconnect with old friends and educate current choristers of traditions that continues to shape the life of St Andrew's Cathedral School. 

We look forward to welcoming many more familiar faces back to the Choir stalls and to Choir tea next year.