Hey everyone!

Congratulations for meeting your offers, I hope you’re all excited (if a bit anxious!) about starting at Christ Church this October! I’m Joe and I manage Christ Church’s College Choir, and I just wanted to share some information about the choir with you before you arrive. A great part about studying at Christ Church is the college’s vibrant musical life, and the College Choir plays a really important part in this.

Separate from the Cathedral Choir that the choral scholars are part of, the College Choir is a non-auditioning ensemble that is open to all members of Christ Church (as well as attracting some members from outside the college), and is conducted by a student from Christ Church, this year our Junior Organ Scholar Makoto James – you don’t have to be religious or a fantastic singer, or even particularly musical! Singing in the choir is such a fantastic way to meet new people, and a rewarding experience that allows you to become an important part of College and Cathedral life.

Our main role is to provide music for the calendar of college services at our magnificent Cathedral. The commitment is relatively small and for the most part involves:

  • One service of Evensong (a mostly sung service of evening prayer) a week on Monday in the Cathedral, followed by free formal in Hall
  • One rehearsal a week on Wednesday evening (with lots of free snacks for the break!)

The choir also provides the music for thetermly service of House Communion, which is a special occasion that brings together the whole college community, and last term the choir performed Mozart’s Spatzenmesse with soloists and an orchestra. This coming Michaelmas we’re really excited to be singing Fauré’s Requiem as part of a service of remembrance commemorating All Souls’ Day. In November, we will be performing a concert of music for Advent in the Cathedral (which last year attracted an audience of 400), as well as singing carols at the lighting of the college’s Christmas tree. Each year we take a trip to sing Evensong at another cathedral, and below there isa picture of the choir at Winchester Cathedral in February. We also have a number of socials throughout the year, including trips to the pub after rehearsals, a termly curry, and a black tie dinner to finish off the year!

To find out more:

  • Email .
  • Find us at either the University or College Freshers’ Fair.
  • Open Rehearsal: our first rehearsal is open to all, even if you’re unsure and just want to give it a go! It will be held on Wednesday of 1st week (11th October), 7.15pm – 9.15pm.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer and I look forward to meeting lots of you you in October!

Joseph Evans

College Choir Manager

The College Choir singing Evensong in the Cathedral, October 2016

The Cathedral on the evening of the Advent Carol Concert, November 2016

The College Choir at Winchester Cathedral, February 2017