On Friday 9th May, Downside School had the pleasure of welcoming the Farleigh School Chamber Choir for an enriching and joy-filled Choir Tour that celebrated music, fellowship, and community spirit.
The Farleigh choir arrived on Friday to glorious sunshine and a picnic lunch on the Downside grounds—an ideal start to a weekend of collaboration and creativity. After lunch, they joined our own Chamber Choir for a rehearsal, setting the tone for the musical harmony to follow.
After settling into their accommodation, our guests were treated to a guided tour of the Abbey by Father Michael, offering them a deeper insight into the history and spiritual heritage of Downside. Following this the choir joined the rest of the school for Hymn Practice, giving the pupils a glimpse into the life of our school community.
Friday evening was a true highlight. Supper was enjoyed together in the Refectory, after which the pupils came together for a lively quiz and karaoke night. The evening was filled with laughter, singing, and genuine camaraderie. It was heartening to see the ease with which students from both schools connected, with Downside pupils leading the entertainment and ensuring everyone felt welcome.
The Director of Music at Farleigh School praised our pupils for their warmth and leadership, commenting:
“The way they engaged with the younger children, ran the entertainment on Friday night, and looked after us all was exemplary and we are indebted to them for sharing their enthusiasm, their love of singing and of choral music with us. They really were fantastic ambassadors for a Downside education.”
On Saturday, the Farleigh pupils ventured to the historic city of Wells, where they spent the day performing a concert and exploring the beautiful surroundings. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to share their music more widely and experience one of Somerset’s most iconic locations.
The weekend concluded on a truly special note with Sunday Mass at Downside Abbey. The choirs came together in worship, lifting their voices in song as one ensemble—a powerful and moving expression of unity and shared faith through music.
Peter Thomson, the new Director of Choral and Liturgical Music notes that “joining with the Farleigh Chamber Choir for the weekend of music making and friendship was a joyous experience for all of us here at Downside. I was hugely impressed by the quality of singing and musicianship shown by the Farleigh Chamber Choir and how they fitted into our liturgy in such a short space of time. Working with them was an absolute pleasure, culminating in a beautiful final collaboration within our Sunday Mass, sharing in our mutual love of liturgical choral singing.”
Downside’s Director of Performing Arts, Karen Randall added “A sincere thank you goes to all staff, choir members, and everyone who made this event possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Farleigh School Chamber Choir for visiting us and contributing to such a memorable weekend. We look forward to many more opportunities to make music and memories together.”
