THE Exon Singers Festival, July 25 to August 1, with its distinctive pattern of music and worship, had had its home in Tavistock since 1973.
As usual, the Exon Singers, with Jeffrey Makinson (festival organist) and Matthew Owens (musical director), offer a widely varied programme, including music from the Renaissance through the centuries to the present.
The Composer in Residence this year is Gabriel Jackson, who can be heard in Tavistock Parish Church at the service of Compline on Monday July 26 and in the concert on Saturday July 30 and whose motet ?Ave Maria? will be heard for the first time during the BBC broadcast of Choral Vespers from Buckfast Abbey on Wednesday July 28.
On Tuesday July 28 Christopher Stokes, organist of Manchester Cathedral, will give a lunchtime recital of popular organ works in Tavistock Parish Church.
The Wharf, Tavistock is the venue for a concert of lighter music on Thursday including Joseph Horovitz?s choral extravaganza ?Horrortorio?.
Victoria Vespers is the title of the concert in Exeter Cathedral on Friday July 30. This is a performance of Tomas Luis de Victoria?s 2nd Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation, and a rare opportunity to hear this reconstruction using some of Victoria?s finest double and triple choir music together with Gregorian chant.
On Saturday July 31 the festival returns to Tavistock Parish Church where at lunchtime, leading theologian, the Rev Canon Martin Shaw, speaks on ?Music and spirituality?.
In the evening the Exon Singers perform ?A feast of Cathedral Music?, music from the Renaissance to the present day, to include Stanford?s ?Four Bible Songs? and Howell?s ?Requiem?.
The festival ends with a service in the parish church in Tavistock on Sunday and, as usual, the Exon Singers are most grateful to the people of Tavistock for their generous support.
Tickets for all concerts from Wharf box-office (01822 611166) or at the door. Further information http://www.exonsingers.org.uk">www.exonsingers.org.uk