Nonesuch Orchestra were delighted to welcome a number of guest players to join us in our workshop on the sublime Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams. It is a monumental, spine-tingling work based on a short setting of Psalm 2 written by Tallis in the 16th century, requiring a second orchestra and quartet of soloists in addition to the main string orchestra. After taking the piece apart and working on it - including a short and joyful interlude when we all sang Tallis’s original hymn - we finished with a performance (and a long moment of hushed wonder after the echo of the final chord died away).

Working on Vaughan Williams’ *Tallis Fantasia.* The second orchestra can be seen just in front of the altar.

We are extremely grateful to Claire Maugham (violin) for stepping in to take the role of leader and playing the solo part so beautifully, to Dan Shilladay for guiding us through the music, to our hosts at Christ Church with Saint Laurence, and to all our guests for making the day so rewarding.