The Choir enjoyed a 10-day tour to Spain in June/July 19. We enjoyed a concert in the Palau de la Música, Barcelona with Cor Jove, an extremely special Mass and Concert in the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, a worshop in Madrid with local choirs, a concert in Navas del Marqués, a concert in Patrimonio Nacional, Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial and a concert in Centro de Cultura Antiguo Insituto, Gijón.

It wouldn’t be a Clare Choir tour without someone forgetting something – this time it was none other than our own Director of Music, Graham Ross who forgot his pitch pipe! Luckily Barcelona had a fantastic music shop where he purchased one within hours of our first concert! Amongst concerts and workshops, the Choir enjoyed 2 whole days off (!) where we explored Madrid and Toledo! Visiting Toledo Cathedral was particularly exciting for our Choir Administrator as her favourite composer Alonso Lobo was Director of Music there. As is classic for a Clare Choir tour, we spent much of our time on coaches and in various drinking establishments sampling their finest gins.

We were extremely sad to say goodbye to our Senior Organ Scholar, Ellie Carter, our Lay-Clerk, Kit Holliday and Lottie Bagnall who have served many years in Clare Choir. Many thanks to all of our promoters and our wonderful agent, Hannah who made this trip happen!