Monks And Choirboys Of Downside Abbey

Founded over a century ago, Downsides Schola Cantorum is the oldest Roman Catholic school choir in the United Kingdom. The Monastery was completed in 1876 and the Abbey Church in 1925. The School attached to the Monastery was an all-boys school up until 2004, but currently is for Catholic boys and girls. Richard Terry, its founder, later went on to found the choir at Westminster Cathedral and was knighted for his services to music. The Schola Cantorum gives concerts of sacred music throughout the year. Recently it has performed Schuberts Mass in G, Vivaldis Gloria, Haydns Nelson Mass, Handels Messiah, Mozarts Requiem, Bachs St John Passion, Haydns Creation and Verdis Requiem.