The Cathedral’s Music Department currently promotes two regular concert series: weekly FREE Friday Evening Concerts, and an annual Summer Organ Festival.
Additionally, our Choir gives regular concerts at the Cathedral, and appears at other leading venues and festivals from time to time. We also regularly host performances from other world-class musicians.
Our regular concerts
FREE Friday Evening Concerts
Starting again in September 2023
Every Friday from 18:15-19.00 during term time, a free concert is given either in the intimate and atmospheric surroundings of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt, or in the magnificent and lofty Quire.
Concerts are frequently performed by the Cathedral’s resident musicians; guest soloists and ensembles, both local to Canterbury and from further afield, are frequently welcomed too.
For information about forthcoming FREE Friday Evening Concerts, please see the Cathedral’s Events Calendar.
The FREE Friday Evening Concert series is organised by the Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music, Jamie Rogers. He is always happy to hear from anyone interested in performing at the Cathedral in future. You can contact Jamie via [email protected]
Summer Organ Festival
In Summer 2023, the Cathedral will welcome three first-rate organists from St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster Cathedral: together with Canterbury Cathedral’s own Assistant Director of Music Jamie Rogers, William Fox, Peter Holder, and Peter Stevens will give concerts on the Cathedral’s magnificent Father Willis/Harrison & Harrison organ in May and June.
Additionally, as part of the Festival, there will be a Free Open Evening, at which anyone interested in learning more about the Cathedral’s organ, and who would like the opportunity to play it themselves, will be warmly welcome to attend.
Further details about the Summer Organ Festival can be found here.
Highlighted Music events
Organ Festival Recital: Friday 9 June, 19:30
Peter Stevens, Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Educated at Chetham’s School of Music, Peter held organ scholarships at Manchester Cathedral, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and King’s College, Cambridge, before coming to Westminster Cathedral in 2010.
£15 per recital or £30 for all three recitals, plus booking fees of £1.50 per recital.
Organ Festival Recital: Friday 16 June, 19:30
William Fox, Acting Organist and Assistant Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
William works with the world-famous choir of St Paul’s, accompanying and directing the music at services, including services of national significance.
£15 per recital or £30 for all three recitals, plus booking fees of £1.50 per recital.
Organ Festival Recital: Friday 23 June, 19:30
Peter Holder, Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey
Canterbury Cathedral
Fast establishing a reputation as one of the most exciting organists of his generation, Peter Holder is the principal organist for Westminster Abbey’s daily services and at state occasions, and accompanies the Choir in its concerts and broadcasts.
£15 per recital or £30 for all three recitals, plus booking fees of £1.50 per recital.
Friday 14 July, 19:00
The Sky Engine
JAM on the Marsh Festival
St Nicholas Church, Romney, Kent
Can a father and daughter save the world from climate disaster?
The Sky Engine is a community oratorio, commissioned by JAM for their community. It features children from two Romney Marsh schools alongside the Canterbury Cathedral Choir, two opera singers, an actor, and an orchestra of London Mozart Players and community players of any age. Michael Bawtree (conductor).
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