On Thursday 7 May, headlining the Sound of Wells Festival 2026, the Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir, Monteverdi String Band, English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, pupil instrumentalists and singers from Wells Cathedral School, and soloists Beth Yates, Maddie Perring, Kieran White, Richard Rowntree, and William Drakett performed the Monteverdi Vespers under the direction of Carolyn Craig. It was a truly collaborative effort, celebrating what is so special about this incredible musical city. The audience of over 400 people gave a generous standing ovation and raised £5,500 for the Grand Organ Project.

It was a great joy to learn and perform this music in such a wonderful space with truly top musicians. The Chamber Choir is grateful to bass Chris Vigar for having the inspiration for this vision, to all who donated to make this possible, and to the instrumentalists – especially Old Wellensian Olly Webber, leader of the Monteverdi String Band – for their impeccable performance and for helping decide who would play when (Monteverdi didn’t specify!). It was a joy to have Wells Cathedral School teachers Simon Lloyd, Emily White, Tom Lees, Annabel Knight, and William Drakett perform on the night alongside their pupils whom they had worked so hard to prepare. The evening was dedicated to Chamber Choir member Martin Warren, who passed away suddenly in April. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.