Choral services

Sung prayer has been offered in Westminster Abbey nearly every day for over a thousand years. Today, services are sung daily during term time by the world-renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey, and by visiting choirs when the Abbey Choir is in recess.

The music sung ranges from Gregorian chant dating from the first millennium to contemporary music and encompasses the remarkable richness and variety of the Anglican choral tradition.

This week's choral services

All services|Organ recitals
23rd - 29th March 2025
Sunday, 23rd March 2025
Third Sunday of Lent
10.00am Matins Quire
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Byrd Responses
Batten Benedicite (Short Service)
Gibbons Benedictus (Short Service)
Bull Ut re mi fa so la
Order of Service available View Order of Service
11.15am Sung Eucharist High Altar
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey; attended by The King's Scholars of Westminster School

Byrd Mass for five voices
Guerrero O Domine Jesu Christe
Buxtehude Toccata in F

Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster
Order of Service available View Order of Service
3.00pm Evensong with Presentation of a Surplice Quire
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Ferguson It was in that train
Byrd Responses
Murrill Evening Service in E
Parry There is an old belief
Bach Prelude in B minor

Preacher: The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Canon in Residence
Order of Service available View Order of Service
6.00pm Sung Eucharist St Margaret's Church
sung by the St Margaret's Choristers and Consort

Darke Communion Service in F
Mendelssohn Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich
Bach Fugue in A minor

Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Monday, 24th March 2025
Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, martyr, 1980
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, founder of the College of St Peter at Westminster, 1603
5.00pm First Evensong of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary Quire
sung by the Lay Vicars of Westminster Abbey; attended by HE The High Commissioner for Pakistan

plainsong Ave Maris Stella
plainsong Responses
Moore The First Service
Morales Missus est Gabriel angelus ad Mariam virginem
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Tuesday, 25th March 2025
THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
5.00pm Sung Eucharist High Altar
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Tallis Missa Salve intemerata
Byrd Ecce virgo concipiet
Peeters Toccata, Fugue, and hymn on 'Ave Maris Stella'

Preacher: The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Canon in Residence
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Video available Watch this service
Wednesday, 26th March 2025
5.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the St Margaret's Choristers and Consort; attended by HE The High Commissioner for Bangladesh

Tallis O nata lux de lumine
Smith Responses
Byrd The Second Service
Mendelssohn Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Thursday, 27th March 2025
5.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the Lay Vicars of Westminster Abbey

plainsong Audi benigne Conditor
plainsong Responses
Mundy Magnificat secundi toni
Reid Nunc dimittis tertii toni
Byrd Circumdederunt me funes mortis
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Friday, 28th March 2025
5.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey

attr Farrant Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake
Radcliffe Responses
Gibbons The Short Service
Poulenc Timor et tremor venerunt super me
Order of Service available View Order of Service
Saturday, 29th March 2025
5.00pm Evensong Quire
sung by the Lay Vicars of Westminster Abbey

Martin Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt
Rose Responses
MacPherson Evening Service in E
Martin Circumdederunt me gemitus mortis
Alain Litanies
Order of Service available View Order of Service

Everyone is welcome at these services, free of charge. Security checks are in place upon entry.