Festival 2026
The Exon Singers will hold their annual festival in the historic market town of Tavistock, Devon, between 28th July - 2nd August, with a Come and Sing Workshop on Friday, 31st July.
The details of the 2026 Festival are published below, and tickets are now available.
Events take place at the beautiful 13th century St Eustachius Parish Church, and nearby National Trust Buckland Abbey.
Tickets will be available on the door for all concerts (card payments accepted), online (see concert details below) or in advance from secretary@exonsingers.org.uk
Evening Concert tickets £15 (Tue, Wed & Thu) / £18 (Sat) | U18 free.
Choral Workshop £10 (Fri) / Workshop & Performance £25 | U18 free.
Lunchtime Recitals Free with retiring collection
Festival Ticket £40 for Friends and Benefactors, covers all evening concerts apart from National Trust Buckland Abbey
We look forward to seeing you in July!
FIVE MYSTICAL SONGS
Tuesday 28th July 2026 7.30pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ setting of poetry by George Herbert inspires this programme full of mystical choral music.
Hail, Gladdening Light Charles Wood
O nata lux Anna Lapwood
O magnum mysterium Tomas Luis de Victoria
Organ: Prelude “Servant Song” Anthony Gray
Ave Maria Rebecca Clarke
1. Salut, Dame Sainte Francis Poulenc
Te Deum: Collegium Regale Herbert Howells
Interval
Faire is the Heaven William Harris
Sanctus: Collegium Regale Herbert Howells
New Compline Work Niki Zohdi
A Good-Night Richard Rodney Bennett
Five Mystical Songs Ralph Vaughan Williams
Photo credit: Vaughan Williams Foundation
NEIL TAYLOR: ORGAN RECITAL
Wednesday 29th July 2026 1.10pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Allegro Risoluto (Symphonie II) Vierne
Antienne Naji Hakim
Fantaisie in A Franck
Prelude on “Servant Song” Anthony Gray
Pièce Héroïque Franck
Photo credit: Paul Husband
JOHN RUTTER BIRTHDAY MADRIGALS
Wednesday 29th July 2026 7.30pm
Tavistock Parish Church
John Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals, written in 1995 for jazz pianist George Shearing’s 75th birthday, inspires this recital full of love from different perspectives.
Lonely Hearts Cecilia McDowall
1. Autumn Migration
2. Night Garden
3. Would like to meet…
Set me as a seal Anthony Gray
Quatre petites prières de
Saint-François d'Assise Franis Poulenc
1. Salut, Dame Sainte
2. Tout puissant
3. Seigneur, je vous en prie
4. Ô mes très chers frères
In the middle Dale Trumbore
The flower that smiles to-day Daisy Widdicombe
Let my love be heard Jake Runestad
Birthday Madrigals John Rutter
1. It was a lover and his lass
2. Draw on, sweet night 3. Come live with me
4. My true love hath my heart
5. When daisies pied
COMPLINE BY CANDLELIGHT
Wednesday 29th July 2026 9.00pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Quietness and reflection: the tranquil service of Compline by candlelight.
Following the concert John Rutter Birthday Madrigals, and after a short break, the beautiful and meditative service of Compline will take place under candlelight. It lasts for approximately 20 minutes and congregation participation is welcomed. The service is sung to Gregorian Chant.
Service sheets will be distributed at the service.
HALDON QUARTET
Thursday 30th July 2026 1.10pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Join us for a lively and imaginative family concert, Where’s the Trout?, featuring members of the Haldon Quartet with special guests Michael Allnatt on double bass and Anton Pigott on piano. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Tavistock Church, this engaging 45-minute performance will introduce audiences of all ages to the rich sounds of the whole string family (violin, viola, cello and double bass) alongside an exciting young pianist. Expect a delightful mix of classical music designed to surprise and inspire, with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. After the concert, young audience members will have the unique opportunity to get hands-on and try the instruments themselves—making it a memorable musical experience for the whole family.
DRAW ON SWEET NIGHT
Thursday 30th July 8.00pm
National Trust Buckland Abbey Great Barn
Ticket sales via the National Trust
Calm Choral Music by Candlelight
This short evening recital will run through as like a meditation, allowing the space of the Great Hall to combine with the music, bringing the summer evening to a calm close.
O magnum mysterium Tomas Luis de Victoria
1. Salut, Dame Sainte Francis Poulenc
2. Draw on sweet night John Rutter
Ave Maria Rebecca Clarke
2. Tout puissant Francis Poulenc
Let my love be heard Jake Runestad
3. Seigneur, je vous en prie Francis Poulenc
4. My true love hath my heart John Rutter
O nata lux Anna Lapwood
4. Ô mes très chers frères Francis Poulenc
A Good-Night Richard Rodney Bennett
Photo credit: greatbarns.org.uk
MEGAN RICKARD: HARP RECITAL
Friday 31st July 1.10pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Watching the wheat John Thomas
Hiraeth Grace Williams
La source Alphonse Hasselmans
La fille aux cheveux de lin Gabriel Faure (arr Grandjany)
Chanson dans la nuit Carlos Salzedo
Nocturne Mikhail Glinka
Morning serenade (from Romeo & Juliet) Sergey Prokofiev (arr Dulovoy)
Interlude (from Ceremony of Carols) Benjamin Britten
Fire Dance (from petite suite for harp) David Watkins
CHORAL WORKSHOP:
BRAHMS REQUIEM AND GEISTLICHES LIED
Friday 31st July 2026 6pm - 8pm
Tavistock Parish Church
Performance with the Exon Singers
Saturday 1st August 2026
PM Rehearsal / 7.00pm Concert
Join The Exon Singers, Artistic Director Joseph Judge, and Accompanist Neil Taylor for a choral workshop on Brahms' Geistliches Lied and selected movements of Ein deutsches Requiem.
As well as a fun evening working on all aspects of singing technique and some hints on score reading, it’s the perfect preparation for the Festival Chorus participation in the performance of Geistliches Lied in Saturday evening’s concert, which will be accompanied by Neil Taylor and Haldon Ensemble.
Scores will be provided
Geistliches Lied Brahms
Ein deutches Requiem Brahms
Joseph Judge, Conductor
Neil Taylor, Accompanist
CHORAL EUCHARIST
Sunday 2nd August 2026 9.45am
Tavistock Parish Church
Collegium Regale Howells
Hail, Gladdening Light Wood