Vaughan Schola Cantorum perform for Choral Evensong

Schola Cantorum

Schola Cantorum, the renowned boys' choir of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in West London, has recently achieved something of a first; becoming the first choir from a state school to sing for the BBC's longest running programme, Choral Evensong.

The service, Choral Vespers for the Feast of Candlemas, was recorded in mid-January and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 at 4 pm on Wednesday 2 February.

BBC Choral Evensong has aired weekly, almost without interruption, since 1926, but this is the first time in that long history that a state school choir has sung the service. Cardinal Vaughan School Chaplain, Monsignor Roger Reader was the Celebrant for the service, held at Our Lady of Victories on Kensington High Street.

The Schola, under the direction of Scott Price, sang music by Tallis, Victoria, Byrd and Palestrina, accompanied by Iestyn Evans who was playing Our Lady of Victories' magnificent newly installed organ. Scott Price said: "It really was a privilege for the choir to sing for this broadcast and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity. I hope that the listeners will find it captures the spirit of this beautiful Feast and that the reverence of the occasion comes across over the airwaves".

The boys of the Schola are busy with a number of exciting projects currently, including singing in Tosca at Covent Garden and in La bohème at English National Opera. On Wednesday 23 March they will sing JS Bach's St John Passion at St James, Spanish Place.

Tickets and further details are available at the Schola's website: www.scholacantorum.co.uk