“British Von Trapps” The Bevan Family Consort to perform at Downside Abbey on 19th September after release of critically acclaimed third album Attende Domine
Dubbed “The British Von Trapps” by The Times (2023), the Bevan Family Consort has earned a reputation for their extraordinary choral excellence, a tradition rooted in one of the UK’s most illustrious musical families.
Following the launch of their third and latest album, Attende Domine: Music for Lent & Passiontide, the choir have chosen to return to their native Somerset on Friday 19 December 2025 to give a one-off performance at Downside Abbey, where their grandfather Roger Bevan was Director of Music for over forty years.
Audiences can expect an enchanting evening hearing familiar works from the canon of sacred choral music by Palestrina and Byrd, as well as pieces from the late Romantic period by composers such as Parry and Stanford, not to mention those of the 20th century, including Colin Mawby and David Bevan.
The concert will be performed in aid of the Bevan Chorister Award, a recently established music scholarship in the name of the Bevan family and its long connection with music at Downside School and Abbey.
Led by the internationally renowned lyric sopranos, Mary and Sophie Bevan, The Bevan Family Consort captured the imagination of the public with their debut album in 2023, Vidi Speciosam: Sacred Choral Music’ (SIGCD746).
Described as “[A] lovingly curated selection of works for voices… All received performances of exquisite subtlety and clarity”, Vidi Speciosam: Sacred Choral Music was among The Times’ Best Albums of 2023.
Their highly anticipated Christmas album, Christmas with the Bevan Family Consort (SIGCD909), was released on 18 October 2024, and also garnered critical praise.
Music Web International described the record as “technically impeccable… [the] performances fizz with Christmas spirit and will enrich any seasonal get-together.”
Attende Domine: Music for Lent & Passiontide (SIGCD892), released in spring 2025, was given 5/5 by BBC Classical Music Magazine, with its ensemble singing described as “consistently faultless”, with a “sumptuous, expressive tone”.
All three albums are available to order now from Signum Records via signumrecords.com, and to stream online via Spotify and Apple Music.
Join the Bevan Family Consort this September as they bring the warmth and wonder of a variety of music from different periods to life through their exquisite vocal talents and cherished family tradition.
Categories: Downside School School News
