Choral Packages
“Your service was wonderful and the choir and organist are extraordinarily talented…I was transported by their musical abilities.” - Choral Evensong attendee
Joint Evensong with the Choir of Holy Sepulchre
Come and join with a tradition over 400 years old with the Choir of Holy Sepulchre. Evensong is at 5.15pm on Wednesdays in the atmospheric setting of the Musicians’ Church.
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· A Day/Half-Day workshop exploring some great choral works from the Renaissance to the present day.
· Sessions involve both singing and reflective content.
· Explore and understand the spiritual messages contained within some of the great choral works.
· Explore the relationship between certain compositional techniques and the deeper meaning of the texts.
· Helpful for individuals to engage more deeply with the music or to inspire other choirs with whom they work.
· Opportunity to work with The Choir of Holy Sepulchre (optional).
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· A singing half day with Director of Music, Peter Asprey and The Choir of Holy Sepulchre (optional)
· A journey exploring the English Sacred Choral Tradition from the Medieval period to the present day.
· Understand how composers managed sacred composition amidst tumultuous religious and political changes in England’s history, and how those changes impacted upon their work.
· Experience the developments in English church music through the centuries, from 16th century up to the present day.
· Explore the influences of non-English church music on the national style of composition.
· Chance to include working with the professional Choir of Holy Sepulchre, (optional), including vocal workshops and tuition with some of the country’s leading professional choral singers.
· Option of ending the day with a final performance
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· Add a little extra something to the office Christmas party? How about carols with The Choir of Holy Sepulchre?
· Can be tailored to other times of the year
· Bring your team or floor together round the piano for a good Christmas sing-song and a drink!
· Onsite at your place of work or in the beautiful surroundings of Holy Sepulchre.
· All your favourite carols, old and new, requests possible!
· Great for team building.
· Either led by the Director of Music alone or with the addition of The Choir of Holy Sepulchre.
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· Bring your team for a day/half-day of team building.
· Fun, energising and inspiring, this will help to create unity in the team and develop leadership skills and understanding of roles.
· Enjoy singing a variety of different songs. Have the chance to lead and be led.
· Either at Holy Sepulchre or in your office.
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· Surprise your boss, work colleague, significant other with a musical serenade on a special occasion, with the wonderful professional singers from the Choir of Holy Sepulchre!
· Christmas…Birthdays...Valentine’s Day…Leaving Gift…or other special occasions.
For enquires and fees, please email bookings@hsl.church
We offer a diverse range of musical services tailored to your requirements, fostering a harmonious and inspiring atmosphere. From running a choral day that promotes teamwork and creativity, to uplifting singing workshops or the chance to perform at The National Musicians’ Church, our musical offerings aim to bring people together through the power of music and help them to enjoy the transformative experience of music working with our dedicated team of musicians.
THE TEAM
Peter Asprey, Director of Music
Peter Asprey is in demand both as a conductor, chorus master, singer, workshop leader and singing teacher. He is the Director of Music at Holy Sepulchre, the National Musicians’ Church in the heart of the City of London and the Musical Director of Ealing Choral Society. He has been a guest Chorus Master for the London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, Brighton Festival Chorus, The Whitehall Choir and the St Endellion Festival Chorus, working alongside conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Sir Andrew Davis and Edward Gardner. Former posts include Musical Director of the Berkshire Youth Choir and Henley Choral Society. Recent performances include Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s C Minor Mass at Cadogan Hall with the English Chamber Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah at Reading Town Hall and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light with The London Mozart Players. He has performed premiers on BBC Radio 3 with the Berkshire Youth Choir and initiated educational events for the students with the BBC Singers. He has conducted at places such as Wigmore Hall, The Sheldonian Theatre and Cadogan Hall and taken choirs on tour to France Germany, Italy, Belgium and Spain.
Peter completed his studies at the Royal College of Music having been a Choral Scholar in the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, where he read Music. He has given educational evenings on music at the Royal Academy of Art in London and master classes on Renaissance Music at the Music College in Dubrovnik. He has a particular interest in music and faith and has given talks on the spirituality of classical music and retreats on Haydn’s Creation. At Holy Sepulchre, he has initiated a residency with the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. The choir has produced two recordings and the premiere of Paul Fincham’s highly successful carol, Ring The Bells, in addition to commissioning new pieces by Lucy Walker and Joshua Pacey. They also sing the annual service that completes the BBC Proms, broadcast this year live on BBC Radio 3. At the church, Peter has started programmes for music and spirituality and music and education, outreaching to local schools and music colleges. He teaches singing privately in London, having been a singing teacher at Eton College for fourteen years and member of staff on the Rodolfus Foundation Choral Courses.
Peter was a founder member and singer in the Renaissance Music vocal ensemble Stile Antico, achieving during his time with the group a number of awards including a Gramophone Award for Early Music, a Grammy nomination and two Diapason d’Or. He also sang on a European Tour with Sting for his Dowland lute song project Songs from the Laybrinth. He sings in various church choirs around London.
Peter has also completed an MA in Christian Spirituality from Maryvale Institute, graduating with distinction. He has a particular interest in music and faith and has given talks on the spirituality of classical music, retreats on Haydn’s Creation and written for the Royal School of Church Music on the topic of Music in Liturgy. He appeared on a panel as a part of their Festival of Faith and Music in 2024.
The Choir of Holy Sepulchre
The Choir of Holy Sepulchre is one of the UK’s leading professional church choirs, made up of singers from the finest vocal ensembles in the country. The group exists primarily to sing weekly Choral Evensong at Holy Sepulchre, the National Musicians’ Church, alongside a host of civic services. Central to this are the services of thanksgiving and remembrance for departed musicians, for which the choir has sung settings of the Requiem by Fauré, Duruflé and Victoria, the service to end the BBC Proms, which was broadcast this year live on BBC Radio 3, and the St. Cecilia Service, a large annual gathering of musicians for which a new work is commissioned annually. nIn addition, the choir has given concerts as part of the Church’s promotion of music and spirituality. They have recorded an album of Christmas music and a recording entitled Soul’s Desire of music from Palestrina to the present day. Their most recent album, a new recording of the choral music of S.S.Wesley, was released earlier this year on the Delphian label. The choir has also made the premiere recording of Paul Fincham’s hugely successful carol, Ring the Bells, and have commissioned new works by Joshua Pacey and Lucy Walker. They have performed regularly with The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble and with the City of London Sinfonia.
Holy Sepulchre Church
Holy Sepulchre is a Grade I listed church situated on the corner of Holborn Viaduct and Snow Hill within the City of London’s cultural district that has been a centre for worship since 1137. Essentially a medieval church, it was rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666, with further 19th Century modifications. Today it plays a special role as the National Musicians’ Church and as the home to the Royal Fusiliers Chapel. It also home to the "Bells of Old Bailey”, as featured in the nursery rhyme, Oranges and Lemons; and we are proud to be the resting place of Sir Henry Wood (1869-1944), founder of the Proms. Other notable associations include the great Bible-translator, preacher, martyr and former vicar, John Rogers (1500-1555); and Captain John Smith (1580-1521), explorer and adventurer, and one of the English founders of Jamestown, Virginia.