The delights of a Bevan choir have once again been reignited with the present day Bevan Family Consort.
Most OGs will be familiar with the Bevan family name so the news that the next generation have released a debut album, will be warmly received. The original Bevan Family Choir was founded in the 1970s by Roger Bevan, former Director of Music at Downside for 40 years, and did extremely well, with European tours an LPs and appearances on TV. The Choir disbanded in 1984 due to family commitments and raising young children, but singing together has remained an integral part of family life, with various members now professional singers.
The Choir resurfaced in 2013 when a fundraising concert was performed in support of the Downside Abbey Roof restoration, which inspired the next generation to consider forming their own Choir, starting with a few events a year. Hugh Carter (B99), Benedict Carter (B01) and Harry Ross (B16) are just three of the 15 members that now make up the Bevan Family Consort.
The connection to Downside is long-standing and at the core of the Consort, given Roger’s involvement as a teacher and his sons’ attendance at the School, John (R64), David (R68), Tony (B71), Rupert (U73), Joseph (B75), Daniel (U80) and Benjamin (B87). Rachel, one of Roger’s daughters, and Tony, were both heavily involved with musical life at Downside. David (R68) also entered the world of music, where he achieved early recognition for his work as choirmaster and organist at Westminster Cathedral in the 1970s, then St Agnes Church in Minnesota USA, and finally his thirty-year tenure at the Most Holy Redeemer Chelsea. His commitment to the improvement of church liturgy after the systematic dismantling of centuries of tradition following Vatican 2, was rewarded by Pope Francis when he received the Benemerenti Medal in September 2022 for services to the Church.
The Bevan Family Consort: Vidi Speciosam – Sacred Choral Music is their debut album, released in May 2023 (available on Amazon and Spotify), is a celebration of musical heritage and produced in memory of David and Rachel Bevan.
Click below to watch a recent interview with The Bevan Family Consort.