The CMBV Choir School and Canterbury Cathedral Choir School are joining forces for an unprecedented exchange between two European choral traditions. From Canterbury to Versailles, the young singers will share rehearsals, concerts, services and heritage discoveries, while exploring the musical links between French and English traditions in the late 17th century.
As the seat of the archbishop of Canterbury and a major centre of the Anglican Communion, Canterbury Cathedral has maintained a rich musical tradition for centuries. Today, the young singers of its choir school continue to play a regular part in the cathedral’s liturgical life, singing several services each week.
This exchange between the two institutions will offer the CMBV choir Les Pages and the young British singers an immersive musical, cultural and personal experience. Staying with their fellow singers’ families, they will discover different choral practices and share rehearsals, everyday life and heritage discoveries.
In Canterbury, the Pages will take part in an Evensong service conducted by David Newsholme and perform in a concert as part of the Canterbury Festival, conducted by Fabien Armengaud and Clément Buonomo. A few weeks later, the young British singers will in turn be welcomed in Versailles and take part in a Jeudi musical concert in the Royal Chapel.
Programme
From the 27th to the 31st January 2027 — Canterbury
- Joint rehearsals
- Discovering the musical life of the cathedral
- Taking part in an Evensong service conducted by David Newsholme
- Concert as part of the Canterbury Festival, conducted by Fabien Armengaud and Clément Buonomo
- Cultural visits
From the 30th March to the 3rd April 2027 — Versailles
- Joint rehearsals
- Discovering the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles
- Discovering the heritage of Versailles
- Taking part in a Jeudi musical concert at the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles, conducted by David Newsholme
David Newsholme
Director of Music at Canterbury Cathedral, David Newsholme is responsible for choir training and all musical activities at the cathedral. He began his musical training as a chorister at Worcester Cathedral before receiving an organ scholarship at Salisbury Cathedral. He then continued his studies at New College, Oxford, and the University of York. He went on to become Assistant Director of Music at Winchester College before joining Canterbury in 2011 as Assistant Organist. In 2014, he became the first Director of Music to develop a girls’ choir at the cathedral, before being appointed to his current position in 2021.
Related event
JEUDI MUSICAL
Carte blanche for the Canterbury Choir
Thu. 1st April 2027 – 5.30pm
Royal Chapel at the Palace of Versailles
