Waiting to process
St Paul's in the evening light

Musicians' Evensong

7th October 2026

St Paul's Cathedral

There was a huge turnout of Livery Masters, Clerks and Wardens for the Musicians' Company's annual evensong in St Paul's Cathedral this year. The noise of socialising in the crypt where we all robe and get in order to process was overwhelming, but we were soon quietened by the Resident Canon who gave the opening prayer, before we started off in precedence order (Air Pilots in front, Furniture Makers behind) to reach our seats, set out in a semi-circle right beneath the dome.

I was joined by our Learned Clerk, Sandra, together with Renter Warden Terry and Fourth Warden Rae, and the cathedral was thronged with members of the Companies and the general public.

The music was spectacular as always, with the choir of St Paul's singing several anthems as well as the sung liturgy, and the organ in full-throated performance.

We ended with William Williams' popular Welsh hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, set to the glorious tune by John Hughes - a hymn that rings around the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on international match days. Williams was from Llandovery, and Hughes was born near Pontypridd. It was a very appropriate ending to a lovely service, as the current Master of the Musicians' Company, Alun Hughes, is himself a proud Welshman.

Afterwards we mingled with the Livery crowds at a reception in the Crypt, before setting off in different directions to various evening events.