Sing it in a Day – Haydn Harmoniemesse
Saturday 20 June 2026
Haydn Harmoniemesse – the last of Haydn’s Great Masses, composed towards the end of his life after a prolific seven years where he composed The Creation, The Seasons, the six great Esterhazy Masses and the Trumpet Concerto.
This is your chance to get to know this amazing work and perform it at the end of the day with orchestra and young soloists. Not only that, but there is also the option of joining with the Buxton International Festival performance of this work in its original liturgical setting at the Buxton International Festival Mass on Sunday 19 July 2026.
If you have a non-singing partner, make a day out of it by visiting over 30 local gardens on the Buxton Garden Trail taking place that weekend.
Experience regency Buxton in Haydn’s time by taking in the Buxton Crescent Experience during the lunch break.
Sam Hayes joined Buxton Musical Society in May 2023 as Chorus Director, taking over the baton from the remarkable Michael Williams as Musical Director in November 2025.
He grew up in the Home Counties, studied Music at Cambridge University, as Organ Scholar at Queens’ College, and undertook further studies in Choral Directing in Uppsala (Sweden), and Paris.
He achieved the Associateship, Fellowship and Choral Directing Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists in the space of one year, in the latter, winning both of the major prizes.
Much of his early career was centred around Cambridge, where, between 2005 and 2022 was Director of Music at Great St Mary’s, The University Church, Cambridge, latterly also holding the historic and prestigious office of University Organist. Here, his responsibilities included directing the 70-strong choral foundation in services, concerts and recordings.
Alongside his career as a church musician, he has worked with concert choirs for twenty-five years, leading singing days across the South and East of the country, and serving as founding Musical Director of Phoenix Choir of Crawley, West Sussex, Musical Director of Godalming Choral Society and Godalming Children’s Choir, in Surrey, and, since January 2025, Musical Director of Stafford Choral Society.
As an educator, he taught and examined for the Music Degree course in Cambridge for a decade, and later served as a Musician in Residence, A-level specialist teacher and school choral director for a number of years. Following his relocation to the Midlands with his young family in 2022, he is now part of Ex Cathedra’s award-winning Education and Participation team in Birmingham, and directs the Senior Academy of Vocal Music.
He maintains a portfolio of keyboard-playing and singing across the region, and when not occupied with music or the school run, he loves walking, cooking, DIY and classic cars.
The format of the day will be
| 9.30 – 10.00 | Welcome, registration, copy distribution and coffee |
| 10.00 – 11.10 | Chorus rehearsal |
| 11.10 – 11.30 | Refreshment break |
| (11.20 – 11.30) | Talk – “Papa Haydn’s Golden Age” |
| 11.30 – 12.45 | Chorus rehearsal |
| 12.45 – 2.15pm | Lunch break Optional Tour – Regency Buxton in Haydn’s time (Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust) |
| 2.15pm – 3.15pm | Chorus and orchestra** rehearsal |
| 3.15 – 3.30 | Tea break |
| 3.30 – 4.15 | Chorus and orchestra rehearsal |
| 5.30pm – 6.10 | Performance |
The fee for the Singing Workshop will be £20. An optional guided tour of Buxton Crescent during the lunch break can be booked for £10. The fee for participation in the Buxton International Festival Mass will be £10.
To apply for a singing place in this concert, please complete the form: