Loading...

D-Day 80 – Bayeux Cathedral

On 5th June I joined the Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Hereford Cathedral Choir, and four pipe bands to provide music for a service of remembrance in Bayeux Cathedral in the presence of veterans and HRH The Princess Royal.

The ceremony was broadcast on KTO.
2025-02-17T16:27:12+02:00June 6th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer

Over 2,000 Canadian soldiers are buried at Beny-sur-Mer, far away from home. On 5th June, we commemorated them as the sun set, lighting the graves as part of the CWGC’s vigil across Normandy.
It was a beautiful ceremony, led by students from Canada who were visiting to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. I sang two songs a cappella from the tower overlooking the immense cemetery, and joined a regional orchestra to lead the anthems.
2025-02-17T20:52:09+02:00June 6th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Veterans’ Parade in Arromanches

With Alec Penstone: Credit: Paul Grover for The Telegraph

One of the many beautiful Normandy traditions is the annual veterans’ parade and ceremony at Arromanches, which is followed by a sing along.
This year’s ceremony was supported by the British Army Band Catterick, Samoribha Pipe Band, and Jedburgh Pipes and Drum. I led the anthems and the sing along.
On request of Adrian Cox, a former chorister, I sang “The Silver Swan” by Orlando Gibbons.
“The silver Swan, who, living, had no Note,
when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:
“Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!
More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise.”
We will remember them.

The Daily Telegraph

2025-02-17T21:03:57+02:00June 6th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Bayeux War Cemetery

Keeping annual tradition alive, the CWGC organised a morning ceremony at Bayeux Cemetery on 6th June. Together with the British Army Band Catterick, the choral scholars of Exeter Cathedral, and Pendyrus Male Choir, I provided music for the ceremony. CWGC interns led the readings, and the Red Arrows flew over.
Most beautiful of all: a veteran, Mervin Kersh, read the Kohima Epitaph, and the public spontaneously applauded as the veterans laid their wreaths.
2025-02-17T20:56:15+02:00June 6th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Ox and Bucks

On 5th June I sang at the Glider Stones next to the original Pegasus Bridge, the memorial to the Ox and Bucks regiment who landed in the early hours of 6th June 1944. This was in the presence of the family of Major John Howard, who led the gliders that landed in Normandy just after midnight on 6th June. The men secured Pegasus Bridge, thus allowing the troops arriving on the beaches to move in land.

2025-02-17T20:44:43+02:00June 5th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Colleville-Montgomery

On 5th June, I led the singing at a commemoration organised by the Spirit of Normandy Trust at Colleville Montgomery. Veterans, descendants, carers, friends, pilgrims, service men and women, and cadets all gathered at the statue of Field Marshall Montgomery.

The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Jedburgh Pipe Band, and Pendyrus Male Voice choir also supported the ceremony.
Singing in Normandy often involves little or no rehearsal given the nature of outdoor events and the many people travelling internationally to support them. I would like to thank Gary Clegg, not just for the beautiful arrangement of “Requiem for a Soldier,” but for his stable and supportive conducting.
2025-02-17T16:19:15+02:00June 5th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Grand Vigil in Banneville

On 4th June we commemorated the fallen of the Battle of Normandy in CWGC Banneville cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have organised a series of vigils in which all the their cemeteries in Normandy will be lit up during the week around the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. I joined the Massed Band of the Pegasus Memorial to sing during the ceremony. I also worked behind the scenes to organise the order of service and script.

2025-02-17T16:25:08+02:00June 4th, 2024|
Go to Top