Three Choirs Festival returns to Hereford this summer

The world’s leading choral music festival returns to Hereford this summer, bringing timeless music and a host of world-class performers to Hereford’s beautiful cathedral and other venues in and around the city.

Taking place from 26 July to 2 August, the Three Choirs Festival boasts flagship large-scale choral concerts in Hereford Cathedral, intimate chamber recitals, laid back late-nights, and a lively family programme, showcasing the power of choral music and making it accessible to all.

Audiences can enjoy much-loved choral favourites – Mendelssohn’s fiery Elijah, Fauré’s sublime Requiem, and Herbert Howells’ powerful Hymnus Paradisi – as well as exciting world premieres of works by Richard Blackford and Bob Chilcott. This year’s festival also offers up a rare revival of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s The Atonement, first performed at the Hereford festival in 1903 and brought to life once more in the composer’s 150th anniversary year. At the heart of these large-scale performances are the festival’s own excellent choirs – the Festival Chorus, Voices and Youth Choir – made up from talented, passionate local singers trained to a high standard, performing alongside the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra. Other performers taking to the stage in Hereford include the celebrated King’s Singers, Roderick Williams, Sarah Connolly, Emma Johnson, the Carducci Quartet, and Stile Antico.

There is also plenty to do which doesn’t need a ticket – pop into one of the cathedral rehearsals, meet with friends and enjoy a drink at the festival bar, listen to incredible performers on the bandstand, or browse the beautiful items made by local designers in the festival marquee.

With so many fantastic events to choose from, the Three Choirs Festival offers the chance for all to be inspired by the power of live choral music – there really is something for everyone at Hereford 2025. There’s even the opportunity to get involved yourself if you would like to – the festival depends on its army of fantastic volunteers who do everything from event management to reception drinks – and there is still time to sign up for Festival Voices or performing on the bandstand if you fancy taking to the stage.

Chief Executive David Francis said:  I am in no doubt that the 2025 Three Choirs Festival in Herefordshire is going to be a powerful and inspirational experience for everyone. The 2025 Three Choirs Festival demonstrates our commitment to great choral repertoire, commissioning and premiering new works as well as revisiting festival commissions. For over 300 years the festival has brought together a community of musicians and singers to deliver a world-renowned festival – and 2025 will be no exception. It’s my first festival as CEO and I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to the festival this summer. Together we will share exceptional musical experiences - in the context of the world’s finest and longest running choral music festival.

Artistic Director Geraint Bowen said: It’s wonderful to be able to share with our audience the programme for the 2025 Three Choirs Festival in Hereford. There’s a huge variety of music and other events on offer, mixing much-loved favourites with exciting new commissions, and we look forward very much to welcoming our visitors to Hereford later in the summer.

Booking for the 2025 Three Choirs Festival opens from 31 March for members and 14 April for non-members. Full programme information and details of how to get involved can be found at 3choirs.org. 

The world’s leading choral music festival returns to Hereford this summer, bringing timeless music and a host of world-class performers to Hereford’s beautiful cathedral and other venues in and around the city. Taking place from 26 July to 2 August, the Three Choirs Festival boasts flagship large-scale choral concerts in Hereford Cathedral, intimate chamber recitals, laid back late-nights, and a lively family programme, showcasing the power of choral music and making it accessible to all.

Audiences can enjoy much-loved choral favourites – Mendelssohn’s fiery Elijah, Fauré’s sublime Requiem, and Herbert Howells’ powerful Hymnus Paradisi – as well as exciting world premieres of works by Richard Blackford and Bob Chilcott. This year’s festival also offers up a rare revival of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s The Atonement, first performed at the Hereford festival in 1903 and brought to life once more in the composer’s 150th anniversary year. At the heart of these large-scale performances are the festival’s own excellent choirs – the Festival Chorus, Voices and Youth Choir – made up from talented, passionate local singers trained to a high standard, performing alongside the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra. Other performers taking to the stage in Hereford include the celebrated King’s Singers, Roderick Williams, Sarah Connolly, Emma Johnson, the Carducci Quartet, and Stile Antico.

There is also plenty to do which doesn’t need a ticket – pop into one of the cathedral rehearsals, meet with friends and enjoy a drink at the festival bar, listen to incredible performers on the bandstand, or browse the beautiful items made by local designers in the festival marquee.

With so many fantastic events to choose from, the Three Choirs Festival offers the chance for all to be inspired by the power of live choral music – there really is something for everyone at Hereford 2025. There’s even the opportunity to get involved yourself if you would like to – the festival depends on its army of fantastic volunteers who do everything from event management to reception drinks – and there is still time to sign up for Festival Voices or performing on the bandstand if you fancy taking to the stage.

Chief Executive David Francis said:  I am in no doubt that the 2025 Three Choirs Festival in Herefordshire is going to be a powerful and inspirational experience for everyone. The 2025 Three Choirs Festival demonstrates our commitment to great choral repertoire, commissioning and premiering new works as well as revisiting festival commissions. For over 300 years the festival has brought together a community of musicians and singers to deliver a world-renowned festival – and 2025 will be no exception. It’s my first festival as CEO and I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to the festival this summer. Together we will share exceptional musical experiences - in the context of the world’s finest and longest running choral music festival.

Artistic Director Geraint Bowen said: It’s wonderful to be able to share with our audience the programme for the 2025 Three Choirs Festival in Hereford. There’s a huge variety of music and other events on offer, mixing much-loved favourites with exciting new commissions, and we look forward very much to welcoming our visitors to Hereford later in the summer.

Booking for the 2025 Three Choirs Festival opens from 31 March for members and 14 April for non-members. Full programme information and details of how to get involved can be found at 3choirs.org.