Normandy, specifically the Abbaye de Mondaye, was this summer’s destination for our Chapel Choir’s annual tour. The tour was a wonderful celebration of singing and a highly enjoyable, as well as poignant experience for the boys.
Staying in the grounds of the beautiful 18th-century Abbey, celebrating 900 years of its Order this year, the boys sang five full services (three Monastic Vespers (Evening Prayers), Choral Evensong and Mass (Eucharist))
The Choir’s visit to Bayeux was a highlight of the tour. They performed a special concert at the church of St. Patrice in Bayeux and had the opportunity to view the famous tapestry and participate in a Remembrance Ceremony at the Bayeux War Cemetery.
“The concert drew together a selection of pieces we had been learning this year, and the hard work really showed in the quality of the performance, which was at an outstanding level.”
The Choir’s tour even earned them a shout-out on Classic FM. Henry Hiller (Y8) told the presenter, Ann Marie Mindhall, live on air, “It’s been an incredible experience; we couldn’t have done it without the teachers.” He then requested How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings by Brahms, a song they fittingly performed on the tour.
Listen to the interview with Henry and his mum
The next day, the boys visited the D-Day beaches and learned about the events of 1944, when men from around the world were drawn into a bloody conflict that was fought out in Normandy, including many Old Bedfordians.
Our Old Bedfordians Club kindly created a booklet for the boys with details of 12 Old Bedfordians who lost their lives on the Normandy beaches, which made the visit all the more poignant.
The booklet is attached below if you would like to take a look.
Many fun activities also filled the week between the services and rehearsals, from high ropes and ziplines to kayaking, powerboating, and everything in between.
It was wonderful to see the school’s Chapel Choir’s rich, centuries-old history of performing in venues around the UK and Europe, continuing with another brilliant tour.
