The sun rises over the city of Oxford, casting a golden glow over the rooftops as the inhabitants of the city begin their traditional May Morning celebration. This year, St Hilda’s College will be joining in on the festivities with a special rooftop celebration on the Regina Pisa Rooftop. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees, offering a unique blend of music, food, and breathtaking views. The celebration is a two-part event, with the first part taking place on the rooftop of St Hilda’s College. The event features a performance by the College’s music students, showcasing their talents in a variety of musical genres. The performance will be accompanied by a champagne breakfast, providing attendees with a delicious and indulgent start to the day. The highlight of the event is the view of Magdalen College’s Great Tower, where the college’s choir will be singing on May Morning. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to witness the traditional May Morning celebration in all its glory, with the iconic tower standing tall and proud. The event is open to the public for the first time, with tickets available for £90. A portion of the ticket price goes towards supporting the St Hilda’s Music Fund, which aims to raise £500,000 by the end of the year. The fund will be used to upgrade the College’s audio-visual equipment, expand community engagement, and support student music activity. The St Hilda’s Music Fund is a significant initiative, marking 30 years since the completion of the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building (JdP). The building, which was opened in 1995, was the first purpose-built concert venue in Oxford since the Holywell Music Room. Jacqueline du Pré, the building’s namesake, was an honorary fellow of the College and considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. The College has recently announced a new partnership with Music at Oxford (MaO), with the organisation relocating into the JdP from 2nd May. The partnership aims to strengthen the College’s reputation as a hub for music and the arts in Oxford. Rebecca Dawson, Artistic and Executive Director at MaO, said: “We are thrilled by the possibilities that our new home will offer us: the Jacqueline du Pré Music building is a wonderful venue with excellent facilities, and we have held many successful concerts there.” This partnership is a testament to the College’s commitment to music and the arts, and promises to bring new and exciting opportunities to the students and staff of St Hilda’s. Throughout the city, the May Morning celebration will be marked by various festivities, including Morris dancing, Highland dancing, and folk singing. The city will come alive with music and colour, as the inhabitants of Oxford celebrate the arrival of spring. The May Morning celebration is a cherished tradition in Oxford, dating back to the 19th century. The celebration begins at dawn, with the choir singing the Hymnus Eucharisticus and three madrigals at Magdalen Bridge. The procession then takes place, with the participants marching through the city centre, accompanied by music and singing. The highlight of the day is the singing of the Hymnus Eucharisticus, a traditional May Morning song that is sung from the top of Magdalen College’s Great Tower. The song is a beautiful and haunting melody, sung with great passion and devotion. The May Morning celebration is a time for the city of Oxford to come together and celebrate the arrival of spring. It is a time for music, dance, and feasting, and a time to mark the beginning of the new season. Key Events:
* St Hilda’s College rooftop celebration on the Regina Pisa Rooftop
* Performance by St Hilda’s College music students
* Champagne breakfast
* View of Magdalen College’s Great Tower
* Morris dancing
* Highland dancing
* Folk singing
* May Morning celebration at Magdalen Bridge

The May Morning celebration at St Hilda’s College promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees. With its unique blend of music, food, and breathtaking views, the event is sure to be a highlight of the year. Whether you are a music lover, a foodie, or simply looking for a unique experience, the May Morning celebration at St Hilda’s College is an event not to be missed.