2026 - July - Valedictory Evensong

Thursday 9th July

The end of the cathedral singing year was marked in traditional form with Valedictory Evensong. The service was held in the Quire, followed by a drinks reception, ice cream, speeches and farewell presentations in the nave.

Nine year 8 choristers left the choir: Isabel Ashmead, Oscar Chappell, Jeremy Hall, Molly Jackson, William Jackson, Lettie Mirfin, Zian Nakata, Oscar Preece and Kokuua Tjakuva Ndjave. Each was presented with an ECOCA 'cathedral goodie bag' and ECOCA name badge by Matt Smith (ECOCA Treasurer).

Four choral scholars left: Toby Hawkins (Decani bass); Benjamin Irvine-Capel (Decani alto); Luke Henson-Baines (Cantoris tenor); Lucie Ireland (Cantoris alto). Michael D'Avanzo also came to the end of his one-year organ scholarship.

Order of service:

Conductor: Timothy Noon - Director of Music
Organists: Michael Stephens-Jones - Assistant Director of Music
Michael D'Avanzo - Organ Scholar

Responses: Michael Walsh

Hymn: Angel-voices ever singing

Psalms for the 9th evening - 47, 48 and 49

First lesson: 1 Chronicles 16: 1-9

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis: Service no. 2 in E flat - Charles Wood

Second lesson: Colossians 3: 12-17

Anthem: Zadok the Priest - Handel

Hymn: The day thou gavest, Lord is ended

Prayers for and blessing of those leaving

Hymn: How shall I sing that majesty