Summer 2026

McDowall, Good News from New England

Vaughan Williams, The Lark Ascending (choral version)

Todd, Mass in Blue (Piano, bass and drums)

Alison Loram, Violin in Vaughan Williams and McDowall

We have a trio of varied and wonderful works for you this summer. First, in a change of programme, we perform Cecilia McDowall’s Good News from New England. This exciting work explores aspects of the Mayflower Pilgrims’ 1620 emigration the New World. There are three movements, with words based on writings of the Pilgrims. The first, An Unexpected Shore, narrates their perilous crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and moves textually and musically from apprehension at the challenges ahead to gratitude on arrival. The haunting second movement – Ghost of a feather – confronts us with the hardships of that resettlement; it recounts the mysterious and tragic death in December 1620 of a young woman settler. Thanksgiving – the third movement – returns us to upbeat and optimistic musical territory, with solo violin weaving in and out of dancing vocal lines as the Pilgrims celebrate their successful first harvest. The movement ends with a freely adapted version of that famous hymn of praise, The Old Hundredth. Our performance is particularly appropriate: the Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Next, and in complete contrast, we sing Ralph Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending in the version for violin and chorus. What better way to dream away a summer’s evening, lulled by the filigree, languorous arabesques of the violin and serenaded by the choir’s urgent longing for the freedom and ecstasy of the skylark. Pure nostalgic bucolic Englishness: but perhaps the Pilgrims' longing for freedom too? Finally, another complete change of mood as we turn to Will Todd’s joyous and uplifting Mass in Blue. Drenched in the harmonies and rhythms of blues and jazz, the Mass expresses the energy, passion, serenity, calm, confidence, excitement and, yes, the riotous groove of God and Creation: it's music through which we can, in the words of a Pilgrim, 'after a special manner rejoice and give thanks together'. Hold on to your hats for a full-on musical experience with soprano soloist, choir, bass and drums. We can’t wait to share this tuneful extravaganza with you – see you there!

This programme is provisional.

Booking opens approx 4 weeks before the concert.

PARKING is free all weekend and after 5pm during the week, all over campus, including permit only areas.

Download a map here.

Blue Badge parking near the chapel (see pink letters).

Some of our big concerts (like the 14th March this season) are made possible by kind donations (some anonymous), and we give our grateful thanks to all who have been able to support us in this way. We're thrilled to have your support. It means that people in Newcastle and the Potteries have the chance to experience excellent concerts at a greatly reduced price. If you would like to donate in any way please click our donate button at the very bottom of this page (every little helps!), or contact us directly via this website if it's a large amount, or you're happy for us to claim gift aid.