Editing Hereford (section)

===Music===
[[File:Elgar-Bicycle-Statue-by-Oliver-Dixon.jpg|thumb|right|Statue of Sir Edward Elgar on the [[Cathedral Close]]]]

The annual [[Three Choirs Festival]], originating in the 18th century and one of the oldest music festivals in the British Isles, is held in Hereford every third year; the other venues are Gloucester and Worcester.

The hymn "Hereford" was written by [[Samuel Sebastian Wesley]] (1810–1876). He was an organist at Hereford Cathedral (1832–1835). This tune is often sung to the words 'O Thou who camest from above'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hymnary.org/tune/hereford_wesley/|title=HEREFORD (Wesley)|publisher=Hymnary.org|access-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030305/https://hymnary.org/tune/hereford_wesley/|archive-date=1 January 2018}}</ref>

Composer Sir [[Edward Elgar]] lived at Plas Gwyn, Eign Hill, in Hereford between 1904 and 1911, writing some of his most famous works during that time. He is commemorated with a statue on the [[Cathedral Close]]. One of his [[Enigma Variations]] was inspired by a bulldog named Dan falling into the River Wye at Hereford, and the dog is similarly honoured with a wooden statue beside the river. Not long after moving into the city Elgar, despite not being a city council member, was offered but declined the office of mayor of the city. He visited the city as a conductor at the Three Choirs Festival, the last occasion in 1933 prior to his death.<ref name=HAC>{{cite book|title=Hereford 800, A Celebration|year=1989|publisher=Revelstone Publishing Ltd|pages=44–45, 47|isbn=1-871817-20-X}}Articles, ''Edward Elgar's Hereford'' by Jacob O'Callaghan, and ''The Three Choirs Festival'' by Graham J. Roberts.</ref>

Hereford is home to the Hereford Police Male Voice Choir who competed on the BBC TV show "Last Choir Standing",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding/choirs/hereford/ |title=BBC Last Choir Standing |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030181156/http://www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding/choirs/hereford/ |archive-date=30 October 2012 }}</ref> and the Railway Choir.

A charity music school is based in Hereford.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordfutures.co.uk/latest_news/music-school.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203165259/http://www.herefordfutures.co.uk/latest_news/music-school.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2011 |title=Music School &#124; Regenerating Hereford City and County |publisher=Herefordfutures.co.uk |access-date=28 January 2012 }}</ref>