Events at Dorchester Abbey
For generations people have brought their gifts and skills to enhance the life of Dorchester Abbey and this tradition continues as a huge variety of groups and organisations hire and use the Abbey each year as the venue for a wide and vibrant programme of concerts, theatre, visual arts and other events.
If you would like to hire the Abbey for your event then take a look at our information for hirers.
Gilbert & Sullivan: Overture – The Pirates of Penzance. Hubert Parry: Symphony No. 3 in C major: The English. Elgar: Cello Concerto with celebrated Soloist: Ellen Baumring-Gledhill, finalist in the string section of BBC Young Musician of the year 2020 and Postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music.
Tickets in advance online or Available on the Door // Prices £15 / Students £7.50 / Under 16s Free langtreesinfonia.co.uk
Ellen Baumering-Gledhill was a finalist in the string section of BBC Young Musician of the year 2020 and is currently a Postgraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music and a winner of numerous prizes and awards. She has studied and participated in masterclasses with many of the greatest current ‘cellists and has performed at the Wigmore Hall as ‘cellist of the Regency string Quartet. As well as playing the Elgar concerto, she is performing concerti by Dvorak and Saint-Saens during the year.
Conductor – Kevin Withell
Kevin read music at University of Southampton, excelling in conducting as well as completing a dissertation on music composed during the Holocaust. He remained in Southampton to complete a Masters in orchestral conducting. During his studies at University of Southampton, Kevin was awarded the prestigious positions of assistant conductor of both Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and Southampton University Sinfonietta.
As well as Langtree Sinfonia, Kevin is musical director of Southampton Youth Orchestra, Southampton University Concert Band and Southampton University String Orchestra, and is in regular demand to conduct rehearsals and sectionals with City of Southampton Orchestra, Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra, Charity Symphony Orchestra and London Gay Symphony Orchestra, as well performing in the brass or percussion sections of several orchestras around the Hampshire and Sussex area.
Acis & Galatea – a charming summer romp from Benson Choral Society
Handel’s gem of a mini-opera or masque, Acis and Galatea, is a simple tale of Acis, a shepherd, and Galatea, a sea nymph, whose happy romance is broken by the jealous monster Polyphemus who kills Acis, but Galatea uses her magical powers to turn Acis into a fountain in whose waters she can bathe forever. The story is derived from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and it has a fine libretto by John Gay and Alexander Pope. After a successful première in 1718 it was revived in the 1730s and was Handel’s most popular stage work in his lifetime.
There are many memorable moments, which include Polyphemus’ great aria ‘O ruddier than the cherry’. Handel was to follow popular middle-class taste in their preference for oratorios, culminating in his great Messiah but it’s good to hear his music in other genres.
To realise this lovely work, we have as soloists Anastasia Bevan, Dominic Bevan, (both from the celebrated Bevan family) William Searle (well-known Welsh tenor) and Ben Davies (who has sung with the Sixteen) and as our authentic baroque orchestra a return of the Instruments of Time and Truth, all under the watchful baton of Tom Neal. This will be at 7.30pm on Saturday 20 June in Dorchester Abbey. Tickets @£20 reserved or £17 unreserved can be booked on our website http://www.bensonchoralsociety.org.uk Book now, first come, first served!
Moving Music concerts are presented by the charity Sound Resource, which promotes music for health and well being.
Brilliant pianist Derek Paravicini performs with singer Hannah Davey, a range of music – classical, jazz, folk, popular and audience requests. The concert includes sing-along songs for the audience to join as they wish.
All are welcome, particularly people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers. Reserve places in advance for your preferred concert time: movingmusicconcerts@gmail.com
The Bartholomew Consort is marking 25 years of singing some 75 concerts with Dutch conductor, JanJoost van Elburg, by coming together in Dorchester Abbey with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble (ECSE) to present this fitting programme of Polychoral Splendour. It begins with a Kyrie written in 1497, and a thread of the Latin mass is woven through works from the mid Baroque period, ending with a setting of the Agnus Dei. The second half of the concert is firmly placed in the Renaissance. The opulence of the period is represented by the intricate and multi-layered choral writing by composers from across Europe, culminating in Tallis’s timeless Spem in Alium. In each half there will be an instrumental piece.
Brumel – Missa et ecce terrae motu – Kyrie à 12
Praetorius – Tota pulchra es à 12
Stradella – Missa Ad Te Clamamus – Gloria
Caldara – Crucifixus à 16
Instrumental piece
Charpentier – Messe à Quatre Choeurs – Sanctus
Charpentier – Messe à Quatre Choeurs – Agnus
Gabrieli – Udite Chiari à 15
Massaino – Non vos me elegistis à 15
Utendal – Angelus Domini descendit à 23
Gabrieli – Nunc dimittis à 14
Instrumental piece
Tallis – Spem in alium à 40
The St Birinus Festival brings together outstanding musicians, scholars, and communities for a celebration of sacred music in the beautiful setting of Dorchester-on-Thames.
Over four days, experience concerts, liturgies, workshops, and talks that explore the rich heritage of Catholic musical tradition.
Please note the Festival Events take place across multiple sites – Dorchester-on-Thames Village hall, The Catholic Church of St Birinus Dorchester on Thames, & Dorchester Abbey. Please note that the services that form part of the festival are Catholic Celebrations.
For full details of this wonderful programme and for tickets visit www.thedaveyconsort.co.uk/#festival-schedule
~ Please Note that there are TWO separate performance times on this date ~
Lumos brings you enchanting concert experiences
paying homage to world famous artists. We’ve
partnered with spectacular locations & churches across
the UK to deliver a concert experience that is nothing
short of magical
Lumos presents A Coldplay Candlelight Experience at
Dorchester Abbey. A string quartet playing a classical
tribute to your favourite Coldplay hits!
Key Information : PLEASE READ 🗓️
Saturday 15th August
📍 Dorchester Abbey, High St, Dorchester on Thames,
Wallingford OX10 7HH
⏰ 2 Sittings: 1st Sitting: 7-8pm | 2nd Sitting: 9-10pm
🕰 Entry: 1st Sitting: Doors open at 6.15pm | 2nd
Sitting: Doors open at 8.30pm
🎼 Musical Theme: A Classical Coldplay Tribute
🪑 Seating Is First Come First Serve To Your Allocated
Tiered Zones (In Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)
❓ Please Read Our FAQ’s
👥 8+ This event is for eight year olds & above
📩 Email us for any questions at
customerservice@lumos-experiences.com
♿ Accessibility: This venue is wheelchair accessible
~ Please Follow YELLOW roadside Event Signage for Dedicated Parking for This Event ~ see here for MAP to
An uplifting day of music-making for all singers
Join us for a wonderful Come & Sing featuring Gabriel Fauré’s much-loved Requiem – a beautiful, serene, and deeply moving work that has inspired choirs and audiences for generations. We are delighted to be joined by Alastair Mucklow, the 2025 BBC Young Chorister of the Year, and Belinda Gifford-Guy, the 2023 BBC Junior Young Chorister of the Year, as our soloists. The event will be accompanied by Jeremy Boughton, supported by a group of local young musicians, and led by RSCM’s Deputy Director, Dr Paul Hedley.
On this occasion we particularly welcome under-18s to join the massed choir, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or simply enjoy singing for pleasure, this is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the choral world’s great masterpieces in the splendid surroundings of the historic medieval abbey at Dorchester on Thames.
Price includes;
• Participation in the Come & Sing
• A copy of the RSCM edition of the score. Music can be collected on the day or posted to you in advance (postage and packing charge applies).
Refreshments will be available to purchase during the break.
Audience members are welcome to join for the performance at 5.00pm (BST). Donations welcome.
Moving Music concerts are presented by the charity Sound Resource, which promotes music for health and wellbeing.
Hannah Davey and Victoria Newman perform songs from stage and screen. The concert includes sing-along songs for the audience to join as they wish.
All are welcome, particularly people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers. Reserve places in advance for your preferred concert time: movingmusicconcerts@gmail.com
– Two Performances ~ Please Book Tickets For Your Preferred Performance on This Date ~
Tickets On Sale SOON ~ Watch this Space for updates or visit the promoter direct to book once tickets go live at www.illuminatedorchestra.co.uk
05:45pm – Performance One: Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
08:15pm – Performance Two: Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light
MEGA Events Presents:
MEGA Events Presents:
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light
Please Follow Yellow Event Signage to Dedicated Event Car Parking ~ Please respect the Village and Park in designated Car Parking Provided ~ DO NOT park on the high street blocking main through roads for emergency vehicles or blocking drive ways