Choir Festival brings performers together at Chester Cathedral

The University of Chester will host the Cathedrals Group Universities Choir Festival 2024 at Chester Cathedral.

University choirs from across the country will perform and celebrate music at the annual event on Saturday, March 16 at 7.45pm. There will be over 200 people singing drawn from Winchester, Chichester, Canterbury, Birmingham, Lincoln, York, Leeds and Chester.

This year’s concert will be framed around the world-famous Chester Mystery Plays. It will include a suite of music from the highly acclaimed 2023 production and a range of other choral pieces performed by the individual visiting choirs.

The event is open to all and tickets can be purchased here. There will be complimentary refreshments in the Cathedral Refectory from 7.15pm.

The concert brings together the university choirs and performers from the highly acclaimed Chester Mystery Plays 2023, led by University of Chester’s Choir Director Matt Baker.

The music on Saturday begins with a short public performance, featuring the choirs together with city’s town crier David Mitchell and the Karamba Samba Band in Chester city centre at 6.30pm, starting halfway down Upper Bridge Street. All are welcome.

The Cathedrals Group of universities have an emphasis on wellbeing, wisdom and wider potential alongside academic excellence and a focus on how universities can help a greater variety of people and places to thrive.

Matt Baker said: “Our University of Chester Choir has had incredible experiences singing with hundreds of other people at recent festivals in cities such as Canterbury, Liverpool and Birmingham. We are so thrilled to be the hosts this year and to offer a real taste of our fantastic city, our beautiful Cathedral and the very special Chester magic.”

Rev Dr Gill Reeve, Dean of Chapel at the University of Chester said:

“This concert will be the highlight of our festival weekend in Chester city centre, gathering together university choirs, chaplains and vice chancellors to discuss Higher Education, reflect together and enjoy great music.”