To mark Victory in Europe Day, join the Parliament Choir and Sinfonia Smith Square at the Houses of Parliament for an uplifting performance on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the announcement of peace in Europe.
The performance is one of the official events of four days of national celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The concert will be held in Westminster Hall, the oldest and most important part of the Palace of Westminster. Dating back to the reign of King William Rufus in 1097, the Hall has been the venue for Coronation Banquets and the Lying-in-State of Kings and Queens, home to our law courts and the trials of St Thomas More, King Charles I and Guy Fawkes. This event offers a rare opportunity to see the details of the magnificent medieval hammer-beam roof, which will be illuminated for the occasion.
A narrator will lead us through an evening of reflection on the declaration of peace 80 years ago. The 100-strong UK Parliament choir, supported by the wonderful orchestra of Sinfonia Smith Square, will perform classical music from countries around Europe as we unite in celebration of 80 years of peace.
The concert will feature Dvořák's beautiful Mass in D Major as well as
Bach Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Gjeilo Ubi Caritas
Duruflé Lux Aeterna
Vaughan Williams Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation (from Dona Nobis Pacem)
The concert will be conducted by the Parliament Choir's Composer-in-Residence and Chorus Master, Nicholas O'Neill.
Tickets are available to the general public and may be purchased at:
www.parliamentchoir.eventbrite.co.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you to Westminster Hall for this historic event.
The Parliament Choir is an autonomous body under the patronage of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. It is a registered charity.
Event details
The event takes place on Wednesday, 7th May in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster. It starts promptly at 19:30 and ends at 21:00.
There is staggered entry to the Hall, so please arrive within the time bracket shown on your ticket to allow enough time for airport-style security.
This event takes place in Westminster Hall. Other parts of the Palace of Westminster will not be open to visitors on the night.
Ticket information
Proceeds from the sale of tickets and programmes will support the charitable aims of the Parliament Choir.
Please note: Westminster Hall is a long room, and seats will be in blocks with the higher priced tickets seated at the front of the Hall nearer to the performers and the lower priced tickets at the rear of the Hall. Seats in each price block are not numbered and will be allocated by the ushers on arrival on a first come first served basis.
Tickets are available at the following prices - £35, £65, £85.
A special Souvenir Programme is available at £10.
There is also an opportunity to support the charitable aims of the Choir by becoming a VE80 Concert Patron of the Parliament Choir. The VE80 Concert Patron’s package includes:
- An £85 ticket to the event in one of the reserved VE80 Concert Patron’s seats.
- An invitation to a reception after the concert.
- A Souvenir Programme.
- One year’s membership of the Friends of the Parliament Choir.
VE80 Concert Patrons’ packages are priced as follows:
VE80 Concert Patron - one at £250.
Senior VE80 Concert Patron - two at £250 each.
Gold VE80 Concert Patron - three to five at £250 each.
Diamond VE80 Concert Patron - six or more at £250 each.
An Eventbrite booking fee is payable in addition to the ticket, programme and package price.
All tickets must be purchased in advance and no tickets will be available on the door. You can buy tickets online. Please make sure you have your tickets with you (printed or on your phone) to be scanned at the door when you arrive, together with photographic proof of identity e.g. passport or photo driving licence.
Tickets may not be re-sold at a price in excess of that shown on this page and admission to the event will be refused if the organisers suspect that this has happened.
We regret that no refunds are available for tickets purchased for this event.
Suitability
This event is suitable for people aged 14+.
This event is suitable for wheelchair users. To discuss your specific access needs, please contact visitparliament@parliament.uk in advance so we can ensure your accessibility needs are met.
Filming and photography
There may be official filming and photography taking place on the night. You may appear in this footage. By purchasing a ticket, you consent to your image being used in photographs and video.
Visitors will not be allowed to take photographs or video during the performance, and the use of cameras and other recording devices is not permitted. You are welcome to take photographs in Westminster Hall before and after the performance.
Admission and security
Admission to Westminster Hall is subject to the normal airport-style security required for entry to the Houses of Parliament. This can be a lengthy process and you should leave plenty of time to queue for admission to the Hall. See www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/security
Please arrive at the Houses of Parliament within the time bracket shown on your ticket:
Band C tickets – 16:30 to 17:00
Band B tickets – 17:00 to 18:00
Band A tickets – 18:00 to 1900
Patrons – 19:00 to 19:15
Please provide photographic proof of identity eg. passport or photo driving licence, with your ticket on arrival.
There will be some pre-concert entertainment provided by members of Sinfonia Smith Square.
There are no storage facilities for coats or bags so you should avoid bringing any unnecessary items with you. The security staff will refuse admission to those bringing large items, suitcases and luggage.
Tickets are for admission to the concert in Westminster Hall only. Due to the security arrangements at the Palace of Westminster, it will not be possible for you to leave the Hall to visit other parts of the Parliamentary estate.
Data Protection/GDPR: Please note that for security purposes booking information for all ticket purchases will be shared with the Parliamentary authorities.
Please note that restoration work is being carried out in Westminster Hall.
Disabled access
If you require wheelchair access or have a disability which requires special provision for you to attend the event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. You can email us at visitparliament@parliament.uk.
How to get there
Rail and Underground
Visitors travelling on the London Underground can use the District, Circle or Jubilee lines to get to Westminster station, which is fully wheelchair accessible. Victoria, Charing Cross and Waterloo mainline stations are about 20 minutes away by foot and have connecting buses.
Bus
Buses stop near Parliament Square in Victoria Street (opposite the Houses of Parliament) and further up towards Trafalgar Square, in Whitehall. All buses in London are now wheelchair accessible.
Walking
If you're travelling by foot, you can access Parliament by Westminster and Waterloo bridges. Both are wheelchair accessible, as are the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridges (the old Hungerford Bridge), which connect the South Bank with Victoria Embankment.
Cycling
Members of the public cannot bring bicycles into the parliamentary estate. Public bicycle racks are a short distance away outside 7 Millbank. There are Cycle hire docking stations situated in Smith Square, which is a five-minute walk away from Parliament, and on Abingdon Green, opposite Victoria Tower Gardens.
Map
Westminster Hall and the Cromwell Green visitor entrance are marked in gold on the map below.
Planning your visit
Read more about how to get to the Palace of Westminster, disability access, security, and our facilities on the plan your visit page.
Event FAQs
Please see our event FAQs below for more information on seating policy, dress code, and more.
What should I wear?
We like you to be comfortable, but most visitors would choose to dress in smart casual for this special event. Westminster Hall can be very cold so please make sure you dress warmly.
What if I arrive late and the performance has already started?
We like to begin all concerts on time so please allow plenty of time to arrive, pass through security, and find your seat. If you do arrive late, please wait by the doors and one of our team will direct you to your seat when there is a break in the music. If you must leave before the conclusion of a performance, we ask that you do so between program works to avoid disturbing others.
Can I choose my seat?
Seats in each price block are not numbered and will be allocated by the ushers on arrival on a first come first served basis.
What do I do after arriving, before the concert begins?
You are welcome to find your seats and enjoy the chamber music playing in the hall. Please note that other parts of the Palace of Westminster are closed to visitors on the night so you must remain in Westminster Hall.
When should I applaud?
The first part of the concert is individual pieces, so it is best to clap between each one.
The second part of the concert is made up of a longer work with individual sections ("movements") that have brief pauses between. It is better to clap at the end of the last movement
Where are the toilets?
Just off Westminster Hall, next to the shop and cafe. There will also be additional temporary toilets just outside Westminster Hall.
Will there be food and drink on the night?
To be confirmed.
Can I purchase an event programme?
Yes, a souvenir programme will be available to purchase with your ticket.
Can I take photos and videos?
The use of private cameras, video or sound recording equipment during the performance or pre-concert entertainment is not permitted. You are welcome to take photographs in Westminster Hall before and after the performance. Please be aware that this event may be broadcast and/or filmed.
Will this event be broadcast live?
The event will be broadcast live on Classic FM.
Will I be able to watch a recording of the event?
No, a full recording of the event will not be available.
Who can be a member of the UK Parliament Choir?
The Parliament Choir is an autonomous body under the patronage of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. It includes members from all who work in Parliament - MPs, Lords, their staff, and parliamentary officials. Its Music Director and Founder-Conductor is Simon Over.
The Choir has performed to large and enthusiastic audiences in historic venues for over 20 years such as Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, the Royal Festival Hall, the Banqueting House, Coventry Cathedral, and York Minster.
The Choir has been an ambassador for the UK and the UK Parliament performing in Berlin (Bundestag), the Czech Republic (St Vitus Cathedral), Italy (Anghiari Festival), France (Notre Dame de Paris), and, at the invitation of the Vatican, in the Papal Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura in Rome.
Learn more on the UK Parliament Choir website.
Parliament Choir Charity Registration Number 1085042
Main image credit Edward Webb.
