Off to Worcester!

Saturday, August 5th - The NIU Chamber Choir and I fly off to England for a week's residency at Worcester Cathedral - singing Evensong during the week, The Sunday Eucharist and Evensong that afternoon.

I'll post daily updates about the Repertoire, services and the day-trips I'll be taking thru the beautiful countryside around Worcester - there's lots of Big Houses, Gorgeous Gardens, Views, and Fabulousness.

The Cathedral had a major restoration in the 19th Century by Gilbert Scott (you remember him from last year's trip to Durham) and the Choir is quite grand.













Unfortunately, the Hill organ is being restored so I'll be playing the Rodgers Trillium - thanks God for a good acoustic - where every drawknob gives a choice of 3 sounds - French, Baroque or English......

This is the Hill Organ Case - the organ I won't be playing........




















On Sunday I'm picking up a car at Heathrow and heading to Worcester via Woburn Abbey, Blenheim Palace, Swinburne to pay respects to Nancy Mitford, hopefully a stop at the Covell Cottage and then the Fownes Hotel in Worcester.

Day trips during the first week include Hidcote Garden, Croome Court, Berrington Hall, Attingham Park, Baddesley Clinton, Elgar's birthplace, Haddon Hall, Chatsworth (to make up for last year's near miss of the last tour), Hardwick Hall (without the car drama of last year!), and a stop in Derby Cathedral (James Wyatt) to pay respects to Bess of Hardwick.

Then on the 14th I set off for Devon, Cornwall and driving back along the south coast, then north thru Wiltshire: Castle Drogo, Saltram, Cotehele, Knightshayes Court, Killerton, Kingston Lacy, Broadlands, Wilton, West Wycombe Manor, Basildon Park, Claydon, the possibilities are endless.....

Lots to see, lots of music to make!