Saturday 17 January 2026
St George’s Church
London Road, Poynton, SK12 1NH

Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man

Commissioned 25 years ago by the Royal Armouries to mark the new millennium, Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is one of the most popular choral works written this century. With texts in English, Latin, Arabic and French, and music inspired by many religions and cultures around the world, it was dedicated to the victims of the 1998–99 Kosovo conflict, which was unfolding as it was being composed. The work charts the growing menace of a descent into war, interspersed with moments of reflection, shows the horrors that war brings, and ends by offering hope for the return of peace in a new millennium. The title comes from a French secular song of the late Middle Ages, L’Homme Armé, which came to be used widely by Renaissance composers in settings of the Latin Mass. Although the traditional Catholic Mass provides the framework, this is a work for all peoples, all religions, all cultures.

Programme for the day

9.30 Registration and coffee
10.15 Rehearsal
12.15 Lunch* (staggered)
13.30 Rehearsal
15.00 Afternoon Tea*
15.30 Rehearsal
17.00 Close
17.25 Assemble
17.30 Concert
(duration approx. 45 mins, casual dress)

* St George’s Singers’ famous and delicious home-made food (soup, rolls) is available to purchase at lunchtime. Cakes will be served with afternoon tea.

How to Register

Click here to register online.

Alternatively please click here for the Singing Day application form.

Further Information

If you have any other questions please get in touch with our Singing Day Co-ordinator: