Festival of Saint Cecilia  

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Service - Westminster Abbey 11am

Lunch - Banqueting House 1pm

The 2013 Festival will mark the centenary of composer Benjamin Britten's birth, and will be held in collaboration with the Britten-Pears Foundation.

Further information about the Festival including how to book will be available in Spring 2013.

About the Festival of Saint Cecilia

Held each year as a tribute to the Patron Saint of Music, the Festival of Saint Cecilia brings together an audience of over 1000 to celebrate music and musicians.

Featuring a special Service which rotates between St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, this is one of the only times in the year that the three choirs come together to sing.

A special anthem is commissioned each year, with the support of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust, which is premiered by the combined choirs at the Service. Previous composers have included Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Tavener, Roxanna Panufnik, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Jonathan Dove, Ronald Corp and Alec Roth.

Another special feature of the Festival is the procession of many of the London Livery Companies before the Service begins. The Service is led by a guest preacher and lessons are read by celebrity guests.

Following the Service, guests are invited to join us for a drinks reception and Lunch featuring a guest speaker and a musical performance.

Find out more about the Festival and the history behind it.