Cantamus are returning to St Mary’s on Saturday March 29th to sing a selection of Easter and Spring music. 
Cantamus is a small group of singers whose aim is to choose and perform the very best choral music and bring it to audiences across west Dorset, east Devon and south Somerset, singing music from the last seven centuries, both sacred and secular, widely known and unfamiliar. The musical director is Peter Nardone. Peter is a professional conductor, singer and composer who has been director of music at Chelmsford Cathedral and organist and director of music at Worcester Cathedral. He has sung with the Monteverdi Choir, The King’s Consort and The Tallis Scholars.
The concert will include some favourites; Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine, Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, Bach’s Befiehl du deine Wege, Bruckner’s Locus Iste, Lotti's Crucifixus à 6 and Now Is The Month Of Maying!
Tickets: £12 on the door.

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ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION DORCHESTER LUNCH TO COMMEMORATE THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN EUROPE

The Dorchester Branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA) will be holding a “Fish and Chip” lunch at The Junction, Dorchester on Thursday 8 May 2025 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe.
    The lunch is for all WWII veterans and all civilians currently living in the DT1 and DT2 areas who had roles in the UK supporting the war effort, including Land Girls, Home Guard, Fire Brigade, Air Raid Wardens, Fishermen who fished the seas, and Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who were trained to provide support to their communities. [Scouts and Guides often worked in very dangerous conditions, as fire watchers, stretcher bearers, and message carriers. They even supported the evacuation of hospitals during air raids and carried out first aid.
It is a “Fish and Chip“ lunch because Fish was the only food that was not rationed during WWII.  Miliary and Civilian Veterans of WWII are invited to the lunch, with their partner or carer.  If they would prefer something other than ‘Fish and Chips” then they would be able to choose from The Junction’s lunch menu.
    Contact details of military and civilian WWII veterans who wish to attend the lunch should be forwarded by 22 April 2025, with the veteran’s consent, to Roy Dean by email to roydeanxways@hotmail.com or by letter to The Secretary, RNA Dorchester, 34 Yalbury Lane, Crossways, Dorchester DT2 8XR.

    On receipt of a veteran’s details, an invitation will be forwarded to them with full details of the lunch.

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St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester DT1 2HL

You are warmly invited to join the Occasional Singers for an afternoon concert on Sunday 18 May at 3.00pm at St Mary’s Church in Dorchester. There will be a selection of songs depicting the four seasons of the year including light hearted madrigals from the 16th century, beautiful romantic songs by Elgar and Holst and a fantastic evocation of the cold wind of a late autumn day, by the contemporary Estonian composer Veljo Tormis. 

Entrance is FREE. The retiring collection will be in aid of the children’s hospice Julia’s House. Everyone is most welcome.

Music from the Courts of Europe – concert of early music
Saturday 31st May 3.00pm at St Mary’s Church, Dorchester 
Free concert with refreshments available.
Step back in time and let Courtlye Musick and Ars Nova of Cherbourg transport you from 1450 to 1600 on a musical journey through the courts of Europe.  Costumed performance on reproduction instruments.
 
Donations invited in aid of the church roof.
 
For more information call 01305 854915 
www.courtlyemusick.co.uk

Join us for an unforgettable experience this summer as the magnificent St Mary's Church in Dorchester opens its doors to the Harmony Festival — a celebration uniting the heart of our community with the wonders of Nature, the brilliance of Art, and the soul-stirring power of Music!

June 11th  - 14th

Nature takes centre stage , where lush blooms will adorn the magnificent architecture of many parts of the church.

Art will come alive in both familiar and unexpected forms. Local artists will display their stunning works within and outside the church. Wander through a captivating gallery of paintings and sculptures where every brushstroke symbolizes community shared.

Music will envelop the venue, with  a diverse line-up of talented musicians. Witness live performances from classical compositions, modern twists from the sound of the organ to stirring vocal harmonies.

https://www.artattheduchess.com/events/