St. Mary's Church, Banbury

08/09/2026

I’m really looking forward to getting the Festival Singers back together this week for our rehearsals ahead of the annual Battle of Britain Service at St Mary’s Church, Banbury, taking place this Sunday, 13th September at 11am!

We have some wonderful music to prepare, including:
🎶 O Taste and See – Ralph Vaughan Williams
🎶 Greater Love Hath No Man – John Ireland
🎶 The Lord Bless You and Keep You – John Rutter

It promises to be a very special service, as we gather to remember and give thanks for those who served during the Battle of Britain and for the sacrifices made in defence of our country.

A huge thank you to all the Festival Singers giving their time to be part of this year’s service. I’m looking forward to making music together once again and to welcoming the congregation and wider community to St Mary’s on Sunday.

If you are interested in joining the Festival Singers, please email: [email protected]

06/09/2026

Join us for our regular service of worship

05/09/2026

Dance at the Banbury Early Music Festival with tickets available here: https://banburyearlymusicfestival.weebly.com/tickets.html

01/09/2026

Congratulations to our Director of Music, Dylan McCaig for this huge achievement!

Read here: https://www.rscm.org.uk/honorary-awards-2026-the-young-church-musician-award/

I am delighted to announce that I have been selected as a recipient of The Royal School of Church Music’s inaugural Young Church Musician Award 2026.

The award recognises young musicians making a significant contribution to church music within their communities and advocating for its importance in worship.

It is a tremendous honour to receive this recognition. Church music has been central to my life since my early years as a chorister in Liverpool, with my cathedral experiences continuing to shape my work as a musician, conductor and educator.

Since becoming Director of Music and Organist at St Mary’s Church, Banbury in 2023, I have worked to develop an ambitious and accessible musical programme, including the church choir and Festival Singers, while supporting young musicians and bringing singers together from across the community.

Alongside my work at St Mary’s, I continue to support young musicians at The Warriner School and as a co-founder of the Banbury Early Music Festival.

I am particularly pleased that the award will be presented in Banbury during the Banbury Early Music Festival’s Morning Eucharist at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 27th September, with Dr Paul Hedley, Deputy Director of the RSCM, in attendance.

I will also have the privilege of serving as an RSCM ambassador over the coming year.

I am especially grateful to the musicians and colleagues who took the time to recommend me for this award, and to everyone who has supported the musical life of St Mary’s and the wider Banbury community. To have this work recognised nationally is a considerable honour.

Read here: https://www.rscm.org.uk/honorary-awards-2026-the-young-church-musician-award/

26/08/2026

A huge thank you to Continuo Connect and the Continuo Foundation for shining a spotlight on the Banbury Early Music Festival following our recent nomination from REMA – European Early Music Network!

We are incredibly proud to be representing the UK and grateful for the recognition of what we are building here in Banbury. 🎶

Here’s to another exciting year of early music, and thank you to everyone who continues to support the festival and help it grow!

Banbury Early Music Festival
(Saturday 26th September - Sunday 27th September 2026)

https://banburyearlymusicfestival.weebly.com/tickets.html

25/08/2026

Congratulations to Dylan McCaig and the Banbury Early Music Festival for turning St Mary’s into a hub of Early Music for the UK!

We are absolutely delighted that the Banbury Early Music Festival has been shortlisted by REMA for Audience Project of the Year!

A huge thank you to REMA - EEMN (European Early Music Network) for recognising our work and the Festival’s commitment to making early music accessible, welcoming and engaging for audiences in Banbury and beyond.

To be recognised alongside projects from across Europe is a tremendous honour for our young Festival, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us, attended our events and helped BEMF continue to grow.

Thank you REMA from the Banbury Early Music Festival Team! (Dylan, Heidi and Alison)

Banbury Early Music Festival
(Saturday 26th September - Sunday 27th September 2026)

https://banburyearlymusicfestival.weebly.com/tickets.html

24/08/2026

We are delighted to announce our Director of Music, Dylan McCaig will be kicking off this year’s Banbury Early Music Festival at St Mary’s on Saturday 26th September 2026 at 10am! Please do come along for a chance to sing some beautiful choral repertoire!

Kicking off this year’s Banbury Early Music Festival at St. Mary's Church, Banbury on Saturday 26th September at 10am, join Festival Co-Director, early musician and choral conductor Dylan McCaig for an engaging choral workshop exploring the rich and vibrant sound world of the Renaissance and early Baroque.

At the heart of the workshop will be a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the death of John Dowland (1563–1626). Participants will explore and sing one of Dowland’s most beloved works, ‘Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite,’ first published in his ‘First Booke of Songes or Ayres’ in 1597.

Alongside Dowland, the workshop will explore two beautiful works by his English contemporaries: Thomas Morley’s ‘Nolo Mortem Peccatoris’ and ‘Richard Farrant’s, Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake’. Together, these three contrasting pieces will provide an opportunity to discover the music, language and performance practices of one of the most fascinating periods in English musical history.

Music will be distributed electronically in advance, giving participants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the repertoire before the Festival. Printed music booklets will also be provided on the day.

The workshop is open to all singers with an interest in choral and early music repertoire. Whether you are an experienced choral singer or simply keen to discover this wonderful music, you will be very welcome.

Applications for places close on Sunday 20th September.

https://www.ticketsource.com/banburyearlymusicfestival/t-jxrmdyk

22/08/2026

As part of my role at St. Mary's Church, Banbury, it is a real honour to be preparing the music for this year’s Battle of Britain Service, taking place at St Mary’s on Sunday 13th September 2026, in collaboration with Banbury Town Council.

I’m delighted to be directing the St Mary’s Ad Hoc Choral Society, the Festival Singers for this special service, with the wonderful accompaniment of the incredibly talented organist Jonathan Kingston.

The Festival Singers brings together singers from across Banbury and beyond for special civic and community occasions, and it is a privilege to be able to lead this ensemble for such an important service of commemoration and remembrance.

If you would like to join the Festival Singers and take part in future services and events, please email [email protected] to find out more.