The Edington Music Festival

 I've been meaning to see and hear The Edington Music Festival for a while now, but I've not managed it yet. So thought I would write a few words on this long running music festival.

The Edington Music Festival is a festival of music within the liturgy, held in the 14th century Priory Church of St Katherine and All Saints in Edington, Wiltshire, UK. It is one of the oldest and most famous festivals of church music in the world, featuring over 80 musicians in three choirs, and offering new commissions, rediscovered music and music from the choral repertoire from the 16th century to the present day.

The festival was founded in 1956 by the organist and composer David Calcutt, and has since attracted many renowned singers, organists and composers to participate and perform. The theme of the 2024 festival is the extraordinary work of the 12th century Benedictine Abbess, Saint, mystic, poet and composer Hildegard of Bingen, whose 845th anniversary of her death is in 2024. The festival is free and open to the public, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful environment and the welcoming atmosphere of the Edington community.

The Edington Music Festival boasts a long history, possibly the longest running festival of church music in the world. Here's a quick rundown:

• Founded in 1956 by Rev Ralph Dudley and David Calcutt, aiming to preserve the tradition of choral singing.
• Began modestly with a weekend of choral liturgy, but its success led to an annual event. 
• Currently, the festival lasts eight days with four daily services featuring three different choirs.
• It focuses on sacred music, including beloved classics from the 16th century to the present day, alongside rediscovered pieces and newly commissioned works.
• The festival has become a launchpad for many prominent singers, organists, and composers in the UK. 

William Edington was a 14th century English bishop and administrator. He served as Bishop of Winchester from 1346 till his death in 1366. He was also a key financial figure for King Edward III, acting as keeper of the wardrobe, treasurer and chancellor. He played a vital role in managing finances for the Hundred Years' War. As Bishop, he initiated a major rebuilding project of Winchester Cathedral and founded Edington Priory. 

The Edington Music Festival in 2024 will be held from Sunday, August 21st to Sunday, August 28th.  This marks the 65th year for the festival. 

Address:

Edington Priory Church

Monastery Road,

Edington,

Wiltshire

BA13 4QN

UK

See the following links for further information.

An overview of the Edington Music Festival

Edington Arts is a Registered Charity (no. 1187289), independent both of the Priory Church and of the Music Festival which takes place in it annually during August.

A Hidden English Gem

Edington’s majestic Priory church towers over this enchanting little village, tucked beneath the escarpment on the edge of Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. Built in the 14th century by former Bishop of Winchester William of Edington, the Grade I listed building is now Wiltshire’s only perfect monastic church. Since 1956, supporters from far and wide have been helping local people to restore, maintain and improve this remarkable building.

The Friends organisation was founded in 1956 by the then Vicar of Edington, Canon Ralph Dudley.   Although most of the Friends live outside the parish, we’re united in our love of this great building.

Friends of The Priory Church of Edington - Charity overview

The theme of this year’s festival (2024) is the extraordinary work of the 12th century Benedictine Abbess, Saint, mystic, poet and composer Hildegard of Bingen; the 845th anniversary of her death is in 2024.

Edington church is unusual in that it was completed in a very short length of time (1352-61) and has remained largely unaltered since that time. It is one of the finest examples in the country of the transitional period between Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic architecture.

Edington Priory Church is famous for hosting the Edington Festival of Music Within the Liturgy (often known as the 'Edington Festival'): a week-long celebration of all that is best in church music. Participants come from many different Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals and Oxbridge colleges, and visitors travel to the Festival from all over the world. The midweek Evensong is always broadcast around the world by BBC Radio 3.