Europe
(156)
Italy
(47)
United Kingdom
(28)
Germany
(22)
France
(13)
Spain
(13)
Czech Republic
(7)
Austria
(6)
Switzerland
(4)
Croatia
(3)
Ireland
(3)
Netherlands
(3)
Portugal
(3)
Slovakia
(3)
Finland
(2)
Greece
(2)
Hungary
(2)
Albania
(1)
Armenia
(1)
Belgium
(1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
(1)
Bulgaria
(1)
Cyprus
(1)
Estonia
(1)
Georgia
(1)
Malta
(1)
Montenegro
(1)
Norway
(1)
Poland
(1)
Romania
(1)
Serbia
(1)
Denmark
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Sweden
Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => United Kingdom
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => England
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => United Kingdom
)
)
)
Advent Choral Day - Three leading choirs in the City’s finest churches
1
day
from
£290
Book today with a deposit of
£44
30th November 2026
A day-long sequence of performances, talks and refreshments, our London Choral Days showcase top-flight professional choirs in appropriate, attractive and often little-known buildings. For this iteration, the audience moves between the venues by Underground.
The three churches selected are among the most significant in London owing both to their histories and their music. Good buildings architecturally by any standard, they differ from each other markedly, their start dates spread across four centuries. Romanesque, Early Gothic and Late Gothic styles are thus on display in fine form.
An extraordinary and little-trumpeted feature of London is the presence of a remarkable collection of church, chapel and cathedral choirs. No other city on Earth can boast a couple of dozen first-rate ensembles consisting of professional singers and conducted by accomplished music directors who all enjoy a prestigious portfolio of musical employment. The three choirs attached to these churches are among the finest in the capital.
The day is conceived not as three discrete concerts but as an integrated, over-arching musical experience in which the individual parts illuminate and enlarge upon what has gone before. The musical theme of the day is Advent, which is well provided for with choral compositions from throughout the ages, and Christmas is just under a month away.
Starts: 11.00am at St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, EC1. Nearest stations: Barbican, Farringdon, St Paul’s. Doors open at 10.30am.
Finish: by c. 6.00pm at Temple. Nearest stations: Temple, Blackfriars.
Itinerary
St Bartholomew the Great
The Choir of St Bartholomew the Great
Begin at 11.00am at St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield. The church is magnificent, a noble example of Romanesque, a style of building which has all but vanished elsewhere in London. The massive piers, round arches, broad side aisles, cavernous galleries and stone vaults create one of the most spiritually compelling spaces in the city.
The church was built for an Augustinian priory founded in 1123. Though capacious, the surviving building comprises only the eastern parts of a once much larger structure, the nave having been demolished after dissolution in 1539.
The church’s professional choir consists of eight singers and is directed by Rupert Gough. Today’s programme, Drop down, ye heavens – A millennium of music for Advent marks the season fittingly in this striking, 900-year-old building.
Programme: Anon. (Medieval) Rorate caeli — Anon. (c. 1420) There is no rose — Melchior Vulpius/Michael Praetorius Es ist ein Ros entsprungen — Thomas Ravenscroft Remember, O thou man — Orlando Gibbons This is the record of John— J. S. Bach Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 599 (organ) — Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme — Otto Goldschmidt A tender shoot — John Stainer How beautiful upon the mountains — Elizabeth Poston Jesus Christ the apple tree — Jeanne Demessieux Rorate caeli (organ) — Benjamin Britten A Hymn to the Virgin — Gabriel Jackson Tomorrow go ye forth — John Gardner Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
Choir of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
The 1900 edition of Baedeker’s London baldly states that, historically, the Tower of London is the most interesting spot in England. Nikolaus Pevsner claimed that it remains the most important work of military architecture in the country. To attend a concert in the precincts is a rare privilege.
The current iteration of the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula dates to 1520 and is like many another parish church of that period such as can be seen throughout England. There is a feature that is far from standard, however, which is that beneath the paving are the earthly remains of many who were beheaded nearby, including two Thomasses (More and Cromwell) and three queens – Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey.
The professional choir, led by Master of Music Colm Carey, presents a programme of Guerrero, Victoria and plainsong: Veni Domine – An Advent Sequence.
Programme: Tomás Luis de Victoria Alma redemptoris mater a 8 — Missa Alma redemptoris mater (Kyrie, Gloria) — Plainsong Ave Maria, gratia Plena — Francisco Guerrero Ave virgo sanctissima — Victoria Missa Alma redemptoris mater (Credo) — Plainsong Veni Domine et noli tardare — Guerrero Veni Domine et noli tardare — Victoria Missa Alma redemptoris mater (Sanctus, Benedictus) — Plainsong Canite tuba in Sion — Guerrero Canite tuba in Sion — Victoria Missa Alma redemptoris mater (Agnus Dei) — Ave Maria a 8
Temple Church
Temple Singers
The London base of the Knights Templar was established on this site around 1160; their circular chapel was consecrated in 1185 and survives as the nave. A replacement chancel, now much the larger part, was built under the patronage of Henry III and consecrated in 1240 – the king had intended it as his place of burial. This splendid space, a hall church with alarmingly slender columns of Purbeck marble, is a spectacular example of the Early English phase of Gothic architecture.
The choir here operates under two names, The Temple Church Choir, which includes child choristers, and the Temple Singers, which is adults only, the line-up for today. The conductor is Thomas Allery, and the programme, Hail, Star of the Sea is interspersed with organ interludes.
Programme: Hildegard von Bingen O viridissima virga — Robert Parsons Ave Maria — Traditional, arr. Edgar Pettman The Angel Gabriel — Charles Villiers Stanford Magnificat in G — Edvard Grieg Ave maris stella — Traditional, arr. Andrew Carter Angelus ad virginem — Lucy Walker Ave virgo sanctissima — Jean Mouton Nesciens mater — Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Magnificat octavi toni
Practicalities
£290
Admission to the three concerts; a two-course lunch and afternoon refreshments; programme booklet; the services of members of staff. Underground fares are not included because many of you are entitled to free transport. Each of the two journeys costs £3.00–£3.10, and fares for a day are capped at £8.90.
Lunch is in a selection of good restaurants near two of the concert venues. Audience members are arbitrarily pre-assigned to a particular one. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served in the afternoon before the final concert.
The churches are situated on the periphery of the Square Mile. Travel between them is by the London Underground (two journeys, each of four or five stops, no changes). There are nevertheless walks of about ½ mile at most between churches, restaurants and stations. You are of course welcome to arrange taxis if you wish.
Between 100 and 150.
We will return the full amount if you notify us 22 or more days before the event. We will retain 50% if cancellation is made within three weeks and 100% if within three days. Please put your cancellation in writing to info@martinrandall.co.uk. We advise taking out insurance in case of cancellation and recommend that overseas clients are also covered for possible medical and repatriation costs.
Dates & prices
GBP Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn2aexnczb5rdw579qrnteg2
[published] => 1
[start] => 2026-11-30 00:00:00
[end] => 2026-11-30 00:00:00
[range_type] => Fixed
[version] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn25m8yz1vr7dsz9z08ffx8f
[name] => 2026
)
[inventory] => Array
(
[type] => Allocation
[capacity] => 137
[errata] =>
)
[categories] => Array
(
)
[fields] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => onlinetalk_booking_link
[string] =>
)
[1] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_departure_code
[string] => MM242
)
[2] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_departure_setup_id
[string] => 30057
)
[3] => Array
(
[__typename] => StringFieldData
[name] => tb_link_speakers
[string] => []
)
)
[elements] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn2aexp47m2a53watq962bwv
[element] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn2aexh9c11fdqccpe2g1tzz
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Tour Space
)
[name] => Tour Space
[published] => 1
[is_package] => 1
)
[prices] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn2aexps6ek2qz31dhgj4y1a
[currency] => GBP
[value] => 290
[on_sale] => 1
[previous_value] =>
[deposit] =>
[option] => Array
(
[id] => 01kn2aexkkmxzkj54vmhgnbagc
[name] => Tour Space
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Price
)
[constraints] =>
[web_bookable] => 1
[published] => 1
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Testimonials
“The Choral Day was the highlight of my six week trip to the UK and Europe this year.
”
“A brilliantly well-organised and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
”
“The churches selected for the music venues were well chosen for their architectural interest and as complements to the music programme.
”
“It's a wonderful day, superbly organised, with excellent choirs, very interesting churches and a good lunch.
”
“Beautiful singing in the best English choral tradition. A lovely mixture of sacred & secular song.
”
Related tours and events
Sign up to our e-newsletter
e-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale. By signing up you agree to our Privacy policy.
Or request your free brochure here
My Wishlist
Please note that all saved tours will be removed if you clear your cookies.