The Latin name refers to the 600-year-old agreement — meaning ‘friendly consent’ — between the four colleges: New College, Oxford, Winchester College, Eton College, and King’s College, Cambridge. The first two institutions were founded by William of Wykeham, whose example was later followed by King Henry VI, who established the latter. The friendship agreement, formalised by William of Waynflete (Provost at Eton College and beforehand Headmaster of Winchester), came into force on 1st July 1444.

The Service

The Quiristers, Back rows and Eton choir processing in their red cassocks.

The double choir entered with an impressive procession of red cassocks, filling both sections of stalls and over-spilling into the front. They began with William McKie’s enchanting introit ‘We wait for thy loving kindness O God’, a simple but beautiful anthem composed in 1947 for the marriage of HRH Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey.

William Smith’s Preces and Responses were used, containing some lively rhythms. Psalm 48 was sung to Sir John Goss’s noble setting. Goss was a chorister himself, at the Chapel Royal, and later organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. He was also tutor to the renowned composer Arthur Sullivan at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

The Music

The Quiristers and choirs during the Amicabilis Concordia service at Winchester College Chapel.

The choirs tackled Herbert Howells’ intricate canticles, originally composed for Gloucester Cathedral in 1946. The repeating motifs in the Gloria were sung with great passion, though subtle changes each time the melody recurred were easy traps to fall into.

The combined choirs performing Bairstow’s ‘Blessed City, Heavenly Salem’.

Edward Bairstow’s ‘Blessed City, Heavenly Salem’ was a highlight of the service, and the congregation were taken on an exhilarating journey through the emotional contours of the anthem. Mr Cunningham delivered an impressive performance, enjoying the full power of the organ in that piece.

Reflections

The institutions, once again, demonstrated their remarkable musical abilities during this memorable service. We hope both schools can continue with these annual services to celebrate their long-lived friendship.

Outside, the Quiristers and other choirboys could be seen leaving the Chapel, their red cassocks glowing in the evening light as they made their way to College Hall for a well-deserved dinner — a fitting end to a remarkable evening of music and friendship.

Well done, boys! Enjoy your dinner!

Jerry Wang
Quirister Parent

Editor's note:

Old Pilgrim Shane, having received a Music Scholarship to Eton and having been Head Chorister at Winchester Cathedral, is now the Keeper of Choir, which is a similar role at Eton College Chapel. The role involves leading the choir in many ways, including bible readings at important services, having an influence over the choice of music in Chapel each week and leading the boys on the Japan Tour in 2026. Shane has received a special medal to wear during services along with garments that have been passed down through many generations.