The Three Choirs Festival holds the distinction of being the longest-standing classical music festival in the world. Its roots can be traced back to the early 18th century, with the spirit of its beginnings beautifully articulated in a sermon delivered in 1729 by Thomas Bisse, Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral. His words, spoken nearly three centuries ago, still resonate with the essence of our festival:

"...a very small and accidental origin. It was…a fortuitous and friendly proposal, between a few lovers of harmony and brethren of the correspondent choirs, to commence an anniversary visit, to be kept in turn; which voluntary instance of friendship and fraternity was quickly strengthened by social compact; and afterwards, being blessed and sanctioned by a charity collection, with the word of exhortation added to confirm the whole, it is arrived to the figure and estimation as ye see this day… Upon these grounds it commenced, and upon these let our brotherly love continue.”

While the informal gatherings paved the way, the annual Music Meetings of the three cathedral choirs of Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford are considered to have been formally established by 1715. This year marks the foundation from which we count our history. It was in Gloucester in 1838 that the event was first officially named the ‘Three Choirs Festival’.

The festival's long history has not been without its challenges. Two World Wars caused significant interruptions (1914-1920 and 1939-1945). More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to the cancellation of the physical festival, resulting in an innovative online ‘virtual festival’ that aimed to maintain the community spirit until the triumphant return to in-person performances in 2021.

A cornerstone of the Three Choirs Festival has always been its commitment to new music. Over its 300-year history, it has hosted the premieres of significant works by composers such as Edward Elgar, Arthur Sullivan, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Hubert Parry, Ethel Smyth, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Frederick Delius, and Camille Saint-Saëns. This tradition continues with contemporary composers like Judith Weir, Judith Bingham, James MacMillan, and Cheryl Frances Hoad, many of whom have conducted their own premieres at the festival.

The festival has welcomed numerous celebrated composers, conductors, and soloists throughout its history, solidifying its place on the international musical stage. Royal connections have also been a part of the festival's story, with regular visits and patronage since King George III attended a performance of Messiah in 1788.

To commemorate its 300th anniversary in 2015, the combined Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Youth Choir, and the Three Cathedral Choirs performed in the State Ballroom of Buckingham Palace in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, President of the Three Choirs Festival.

From the initial "fortuitous and friendly proposal" described by Thomas Bisse, the festival has evolved into an eight-day summer program featuring over eighty events, alongside a growing year-round engagement initiative. The fundamental mission – to foster a deep appreciation for music – has driven the festival for three centuries and continues to inspire audiences for generations to come.

“Upon these grounds it commenced, and upon these let our brotherly love continue.”