*** Press release: More Than 70 Voices Unite in Celebration as Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course Concludes

 Portsmouth, March 2026 — More than 70 people gathered at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth, on Saturday 14 March for the final instalment of the Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course, a programme that has received widespread acclaim for introducing the ancient tradition of chant to participants of all ages and musical backgrounds.

Launched in January 2026, the course welcomed complete beginners alongside experienced musicians, attracting adults, students and children alike. Among the youngest participants was Anne, aged six, who spoke enthusiastically of her enjoyment of singing the chants — a reflection of the inclusive and accessible ethos of the programme.

The course was directed by Dominic Bevan, a professional musician and graduate of the Royal College of Music, whose extensive experience in sacred music guided participants throughout the programme. Instruction was further enriched by the contribution of two leading practitioners of chant. Abbot Xavier Perrin OSB, of the Benedictine Abbey of OurLady of Quarr on the Isle of Wight, led the first two parts of the course, while the final sessions were delivered by Reverend Father Matthew Jarvis OP, Dominican Prior of StDominic’s Priory, London, who introduced participants to the distinctive tradition of Dominican Chant — a historic variation of Gregorian Chant.

The aim of the course was threefold: to teach Gregorian Chant to singers at all levels, to share the chant’s historical and spiritual context, and to develop interpretative skills so that participants might become confident practitioners capable of fostering chant within their own communities.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with responses including “Amazing,” “Brilliant,” “Excellent,” and “A wonderful learning experience.” Many expressed a strong desire for the course to be repeated in the future, praising both the quality of instruction and the lasting value of what they had learned.

The course concluded with a Mass at St John’s Cathedral, during which the combined voices of 70 participants filled the cathedral with the sound of chant. At the conclusion of the event, participants were presented with certificates marking the successful completion of the course.

Neville McNally, course organiser, expressed his deep appreciation to Dominic Bevan, Abbot Xavier, and Father Matthew Jarvis for their generous commitment and for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with participants across a wide age range. He confirmed that a review of the course will now take place, with future initiatives under consideration.

For further information, visit PortsmouthGregorianChant.blogspot.com, follow @ChantPortsmouth on X (formerly Twitter), or use the contact details below.

Press Contact:

Mobile: 07424 371938

Email: portsmouthchantcourse@gmail.com

Website: https://portsmouthgregorianchant.blogspot.com/

*** SHORT VERSION

More than 70 people gathered at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth, on Saturday 14 March for the conclusion of the Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course, an acclaimed programme introducing the ancient tradition of chant to singers of all ages and abilities.

Launched in January 2026, the course welcomed complete beginners alongside experienced musicians, with participants ranging from adults to children. The course was directed by Dominic Bevan, a professional musician and Royal College of Music graduate, and featured instruction from Abbot Xavier Perrin OSB of Quarr Abbey and Reverend Father Matthew Jarvis OP of St Dominic’s Priory, London.

The programme concluded with a Mass, as 70 voices filled the cathedral with chant. Participants received certificates, and organisers confirmed a review is under way with future initiatives being considered.




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Antonia Moffat of EWTNGreatBritain interviews Dominic Bevan at mid-point of the course

Filled with enthusiasm...   What is it with Gregorian Chant! Dominic Bevan's enthusiasm  @EWTNGreatBritain https://www.youtube.com/@EWTNGreatBritain/shorts Subscribe 📱 Has Modern Life Made Us Blind to Beauty? 🎶 Is Ancient Church Music Popular Again? Here is Antonia's article with more details on the EWTN website Don't forget to tune in with BBC South on Sunday for more on all things chant 08:30 Sunday 8 March 2026 BBC Radio Berkshire – 95.4 FM, 104.1 FM BBC Radio Oxford – 95.2 FM BBC Radio Solent – 96.1 FM, 103.8 FM and come and hear us sing the chant on part III of our III part course ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 15:00 Saturday 14 March 2026 live at the  Dominican Rite Mass in St John's RC Cathedral Bishop Crispian Way Portsmouth PO1 3HG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Breaking news...

  Link to PDF of above flyer Breaking news... For all Gregorian chant lovers:  A treat is in store! Listen this Sunday morning, third Sunday in Lent, at 08:30 BBC Radio Berkshire – 95.4 FM, 104.1 FM BBC Radio Oxford – 95.2 FM BBC Radio Solent – 96.1 FM, 103.8 FM On Sunday 8 March at 8.35am, Neville McNally, our Portsmouth Gregorian chant course organiser, will be in a live interview with BBC presenters from their Oxfordshire studios on BBC South. The programme will be going out live on all three of the following frequencies on this Sunday morning, third Sunday in Lent, at 08:35 BBC Radio Berkshire – 95.4 FM, 104.1 FM BBC Radio Oxford – 95.2 FM BBC Radio Solent – 96.1 FM, 103.8 FM The producer reached out to ask if Neville might talk about what the course wishes to achieve, the history of the chant and to give live instructions on air to the presenters on how to sing chant. Neville is delighted to have this opportunity to share what our Portsmouth Gregorian chant course is all ...
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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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Latest on our course fast approaching..

don't delay APPLY TODAY and spread the word about what's in store -  inviting music lovers, singers, and spiritual seekers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Gregorian Chant   in  Portsmouth this Spring 2026 🙏
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Dominican Prior Joins Expert Team for Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course 2026

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dominican Prior Joins Expert Team for Portsmouth Gregorian Chant  Course 2026 Portsmouth, UK – The Portsmouth Gregorian Chant Course 2026 is proud to announce the addition of Father Matthew Jarvis OP, Prior of St Dominic’s Priory (the Rosary Shrine), London, to its distinguished teaching team. As a preacher and author, Father Matthew brings exceptional expertise in both Gregorian and Dominican Chant, enriching the course’s unique blend of musical mastery and spiritual depth. Joining forces with Benedictine liturgist Abbot Xavier Perrin OSB and Course Director Dominic Bevin, Father Matthew will participate in the 3 rd  workshop of the 3-part course to guide participants through the theory, history, and expressive practice of Chant. The course, held at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth, features three one-day workshops on the second Saturdays of January (10th), February (14th), and March (14th) 2026. Open to all— beginners and experienced singers alike...
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