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Keep an eye out here for updates on progress with our current Gregorian Chant Course this Spring 2026 at Portsmouth RC Cathedral 


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Click the location link below for directions to the RC Cathedral, St John's (not to be confused with the Anglican Portsmouth Cathedral which is located in Old Portsmouth near the dockyard)















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Location: Portsmouth St John's RC Cathedral, Bishop Crispian Way, PO1 3HG, UK

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Gregorian Chant Day Portsmouth & Quarr Abbey – Saturday 6 June 2026

Gregorian Chant Day Portsmouth & Quarr Abbey – Saturday 6 June 2026 Following the successful completion of the three-part Gregorian Chant Course earlier this year, participants and others with an interest in Gregorian Chant are warmly invited to take part in a full day of chant singing on Saturday 6 June . This special one-day event offers the opportunity to sing Gregorian Chant in both parish and monastic settings, with practical, hands-on coaching and the chance to sing together as a large group. Attendance at either part of the day, or both, is welcome. Charges for the whole day (to help cover costs) Former Course Participants: Adults : £5 Children : £2.50 Newcomers: Adults : £10 Children : £5 This day is intended both as a continuation for those who attended the Portsmouth Chant Course and as a welcoming opportunity for new singers who wish to experience Gregorian Chant in a supportive and prayerful setting. To sign up for the morning and/or afternoon chant experience please...
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PRESS RELEASE - Portsmouth and Quarr Abbey Chant Day Saturday 6 June 2026

Portsmouth and Quarr Abbey Invite Singers to an Inspiring Day of Gregorian Chant PORTSMOUTH, June 2026 — Following the success of the Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course earlier this year, singers, choir members and lovers of sacred music are warmly invited to take part in a special Day of Chant on Saturday 6 June 2026, combining Mass at St Joseph’s Church, Portsmouth, and Vespers at Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight in a rich and uplifting celebration of the Church’s ancient musical tradition. This special one-day event offers a distinctive opportunity to experience Gregorian Chant in both parish and monastic settings, guided by experienced leaders and shaped by prayer, beauty and shared music-making. Open to former participants and complete newcomers alike, it is designed to be welcoming, practical and deeply enriching. The morning session at St Joseph’s in Portsmouth will focus on chant for Mass, while the afternoon at Quarr Abbey will culminate in the singing of Saturday Evening Vesp...
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The story so far...

Welcome back again to hear how our Spring 2026 chant course is going. Part I and Part II went so well!  Despite the weather, travel and colds, we managed to get through the first two parts swimmingly. Participants have come from as far as the West Midlands, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex as well as from all over the Diocese of Portsmouth which includes Oxfordshire, parts of Dorset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. Virtually everyone still wants to stay on board and develop their singing skills in this intricate genre and style developed over millennia to create a soothing and sacred sound worthy for worship of Our Creator. Our next and final part of the course will take place on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Portsmouth RC Cathedral as usual - St John's, Bishop Crispian Way, PO1 3HG. Please do come along to hear our over 60-strong choir accompany the Dominican Rite Mass at the Cathedral in less than 3 weeks' time. You are very welcome, no matter what ...
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Fantastic feedback after first workshop

We have had great comments made by our participants from the first workshop:) They are looking forward to the next two in February and March, none more so than Antonia Moffat of EWTN Great Britain who sings the praises of Gregorian chant and all our efforts to give it due energy at our first workshop last Saturday at St John's Cathedral in Portsmouth UK. The immediate fruits of the workshop consisted of our whole cohort being given the privilege of singing chant we had learned earlier in the day, at the 3pm Latin Mass in honour of Our Lady, said by Fr Serafino Lanzetta of the Marian Franciscans based also in Portsmouth. We were a mixed bag of singers of all ages and experience in singing chant, many for the very first time at a Latin Mass setting. We thank God for having had this opportunity, and are very happy that our sponsors can be proud of their confidence in our ability to rise to the occasion - as Antonia put it "the sound of heaven" - a tall order! One that was n...
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