Launching on Monday 27 October 2025, join us for this 7-week choral course and be one the first to learn, sing and record Patrick Hawes’ newly revised work, The Wedding At Cana!
What we will learn
In this course, we will learn The Wedding at Cana, a joyful and powerful choral work by British composer Patrick Hawes. It tells the Christian story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding - a moment full of celebration, wonder and love.
This is a very special project. Patrick is creating a brand new version of the piece with reduced orchestration, and we are honoured that Choir of the Earth will be the first choir to record this revised edition.
About the composer
Patrick Hawes is a celebrated British composer known for his expressive, lyrical music for choirs and orchestras.
His works often reflect faith, nature and the human experience, and he has composed for a wide range of settings, including royal occasions and radio broadcasts.
We are thrilled to be working directly with Patrick on this project. A long-standing friend of the Choir, his Quanta Qualia is the Choir’s unofficial anthem, and he has previously written works especially for us - including Still, Still The Night and Pacis et Caritas. Patrick is a great supporter of our approach to online music-making, and our members adore singing his beautiful compositions.
A little about the piece
The Wedding at Cana is a cantata - a longer choral work made up of several connected movements. It was originally composed in 1989 and scored for full orchestra, soloists and choir. This new version, with reduced orchestration, is being created by Patrick Hawes himself to make it more accessible for choirs around the world.
The piece brings to life the story of Christ’s first miracle - turning water into wine at a wedding feast. It features both intimate, reflective movements and dramatic, energetic storytelling.
A highlight of the work is the central movement, The Waters of Love - a meditative and lyrical reflection on the miracle itself. It was later released on Patrick’s debut album Blue in Blue. Another stand-out moment is The Wine Gave Out, full of energy and narrative tension.
Composer’s Note:
“In 1989 while I was a teacher at Pangbourne College, Berkshire, I was commissioned to write my first major work - the cantata The Wedding at Cana. At the moment of the miracle, I set words by my brother and the resulting track - The Waters of Love - appeared on my debut album Blue in Blue and it reflects on the presence of the divine in human love.” - Patrick Hawes
Hear The Waters of Love here:
Our teaching and resources
Our online courses are designed to be flexible and welcoming. You will get:
A full choir rehearsal each week of the course, led by our Musical Director, Ben England
A sectional rehearsal for your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) each week, with the option to attend any others you like - learn and record as many voice parts as you like, or just come along to enjoy the music and live chat
Rehearsal tracks recorded by professional singers - for this course by the fantastic Fieri Consort
The option to record and submit your own recordings, which will be combined with singers around the world to create a final mixed performance
At the end of the course, our global recording will be premiered on YouTube as a concert - a celebration of what we have learned and created together.
You don’t need any previous choral experience to take part in our courses - just a love of singing and a way to get online.
Our innovative learning tools mean you will learn this stunning music in a depth you don’t get with any other choir.
ℹ️ Find out more about how Choir of the Earth works here.
Be part of it
Our course launch session on Monday 5 January 2026 will be open to all, so please come along to hear more about the music and how the course will work.
If you would like to sing The Wedding at Cana with Choir of the Earth, simply sign up as a member below. New monthly members get their first month free - just enter the promo code WELCOME1 at the checkout - or sign up for an annual membership to enjoy the rest of our 2025/26 programme too, plus save 10% across the year.
We hope to sing with you soon!
Hear Choir of the Earth perform more of Patrick Hawes’ work:
Disclaimer: While we make every effort to ensure that courses proceed on the dates and with the content advertised, unforeseen circumstances may require changes on occasion. We endeavour to minimise such alterations, but we reserve the right to make adjustments if necessary.