OWCCS Evensong in Winchester College Chapel 16th May 2026

In July 2024 following the OWCCS's second Evensong held in College Chapel, Yang Wern Ooi, the founder of the Society, highlighted the need to “bring a fractured world together”. Two years later, as the mazed world around us continues to crack and creak in disarray, over 60 members of the Society once again came together to sing Evensong in composed harmony.

Our lack of disarray was thanks to our dear Jeremy Summerly (A, 1974-78), OWCCS Honorary President, who guided us patiently through our rehearsal, starting with psalms to chants by Howells, C.V. Stanford, Beethoven and Winchester's own Raymond Humphrey (Win. Coll. Organist 1970-1977). “Raymond was very proud of that chord” – second bar, third phrase – Jeremy reminds us as the altos sing a startled E-sharp to the sopranos' E natural. From our ragged start, he coaxed us into shape by the end of the rehearsal - and just in time for tea.

Inside School, tea (and copious quantities of cake – praise be!) followed, and outside, a light rain, enough to burnish the cobbles and deepen the melancholic sighs of those remembering school days past. A speech in which the Headmaster, Ms Elizabeth Stone reminded us of the fragility of our fine choral tradition without which we risk losing such a rich inheritance. This was followed by a photo in School – see above – (all photos can be viewed using the link below).

Evensong commenced with Tell out my soul to 'Woodlands' and swiftly moved on to Tallis' If ye love me, written in 1541 but edited in 2020 by Summerly himself. The responses by Reading framed a marathon 52 psalm verses - sung antiphonally - and were followed by Noble's 1898 Evening Service in B minor and Wesley's slightly earlier Blessed be the God and Father.

The Revd Dr Ben Sargent (Co Ro, 2025- ), Dean of Chapel led the service whilst we were treated to a sermon extolling the virtues of music (preaching to the choir!) by The Revd David Reid (I, 1991-96, Co Ro 2025- ), College Chaplain. Our Sen Man John Verity (I, 1952-57) provided our first reading and the Headmaster provided the second.

After singing our closing hymn Before the ending of the day to 'Gonfalon Royal', and before drinks and a first-class dinner in School, we were treated to an organ extravaganza in Vierne's Final, from his Organ Symphony No. 1, Op. 14 played in an appropriately flamboyant French style by Mr. William McVicker, our Guest Organist.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Karen and Annie of the Winchester College Society for their infinite patience in helping organise this very successful third Society Evensong held in Chapel and fifth overall.

All photographs can be viewed below (please note that you will need to sign in in order to view them).

The next OWCCS Evensong will take place on Saturday 3rd October 2026 at St Bartholomew the Great, London EC1A 9DS. Please email the committee on [email protected] if you would like to find out more.