The first, on Friday 16 September, was a sell-out open rehearsal at Winchester College Chapel, where the boys demonstrated their individual and collective talents to an appreciative audience.

Then on Sunday 18 September, Winchester College dedicated Matins to Bishop Thomas Ken (1637-1711), sometime prebendary of Winchester Cathedral, chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, and don at the college. The service was one of a number of events held at the college in support of the annual programme of Winchester Heritage Open Days, and around fifty members of the public were able to join us in Chapel.

The service began with a warm welcome from Headmaster, Dr Tim Hands, while Senior Chaplain Hester Jones, Dean of Chapel, gave an entertaining address on the life, works, alliances and achievements of Ken, around the time of the first two Kings Charles and Oliver Cromwell. 

It had been intended that the full chapel choir would celebrate this special service, but with the College having gone down in anticipation of the funeral of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Quiristers took on all the singing duties, ably conducted by Mr Ionascu and accompanied by Mr Cunningham on organ.  

Notably and appropriately, both the hymns (Awake my soul, and Glory to thee my God this night) had been written by Ken, reflecting a tradition of writing and composition that continues at the college to this day.  
Mr Guest