Choir Residency at York Minster, York, UK

July 20-28, 2025

For over a thousand years, York Minster's magnificent spaces have resounded with choral music. The Christ Church Choir will join that tradition as a visiting choir in July 2025. Led by our director of music, Bruce Barber, the choir sings daily Evensong and the full morning of Sunday services, performing music composed for our choir—including a world premiere. This is the third residency our choir has made in England and builds on the choir's ministry in the Anglican choral music tradition, developed over 110 years of Christ Church’s worship.

The choir’s companions arrive in York on Sunday, July 20, staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Monkbar Hotel, just steps away from York Minster. Banquets with the choir open and close the Sunday-to-Sunday stay. Enjoy a tour of the Minster on Monday and the town on Wednesday. 

Companions are free to explore the city and surrounding area on their own each day. York is a city with museums, shops, theatre, and history to discover. Christ Church pilgrims arrive Thursday evening, and the choir’s companions may join them on Saturday as they explore Ripon Cathedral and Fountains Abbey.

Choral Pilgrimage in Northern England

July 23-August 4, 2025

Five cathedrals, three abbey ruins, two islands, and 13 days to explore the rich history and Celtic spirituality of England's northern counties of York, Durham, and Northumberland. The journey begins in York when the pilgrims join the Christ Church Choir during their residency at York Minster. We explore Celtic spirituality and the rich history of northern England as well as the music and worship of the Anglican choral tradition. The pilgrimage leaders are the Revs. Ruth and David Beresford. The pilgrims travel to York on Thursday, July 24, stopping at Lincoln Cathedral en route. At York we join the Christ Church Choir, staying at the Monkbar Hotel, just steps away from York Minster. The itinerary includes days out to Ripon Cathedral and Fountains Abbey, returning to attend Evensong. Worship on Sunday and a celebration with the choir concludes our time in York.

When the choir’s residency ends, the pilgrims travel to Rievaulx Abbey en route to County Durham for three nights at Redworth Hall Hotel—our first base to explore the lives of Cuthbert (7th century) and Bede (8th century), both enshrined in Durham Cathedral. The pilgrimage then continues closer to the North Sea coast to Northumbria, to stay at Doxford Hall—another grand country house converted to a four-star hotel. From there we visit Lindisfarne (the Holy Island of Cuthbert’s monastic life) and other sites to inspire our pilgrimage. The pilgrimage concludes with transport back to London’s Heathrow Airport on Sunday for a Monday return flight to Philadelphia or onward travel.