Queens' College Chapel Choir, Cambridge


Queens' College Chapel Choir, Cambridge is the choir of Queens' College, Cambridge, England. It is a mixed collegiate Chapel Choir composed both of Choral Scholars and volunteers from across Cambridge University. Between 2011 and 2015 the choir was run by Director of Music, Silas Wollston, and two undergraduate organ scholars. From 2015 direction of the choir was handed to the British conductor Ralph Allwood.

About the choir

Until October 2008, the choir was run by the organ scholars, who were responsible for music in Chapel and the recruiting, training and conducting of the Choir. Since then, the Director of Music has been responsible for conducting the chapel choir, and, in turn, tutoring and mentoring the organ scholars. Additionnaly the choir employs two singing teachers to aid in the training of the choral scholars and volunteers.
The Choir meets three times per week during full term, singing choral evensongs on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, and compline on a Friday. The choir also performs concerts, and sings at special services, such as Eucharists on feast days, the college's Commemoration of Benefactors, weddings and memorial services. The Choir tours regularly, singing for services around the country in cathedrals such as Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, Southwell Minster and Truro Cathedral. The choir also travels on international tours further afield on an annual basis. The Choir has recorded with three labels: Guild Music, Past Times, and Orchid Classics. The Choir's most recent recordings have been with Orchid Classics.
The choir appoints up to four choral scholars a year; scholarships are usually awarded to undergraduate applicants of the college who partake in the University choral trials which take place in September. Choral volunteers are appointed by audition at the start of the academic year and come from a large range of the university's colleges.

Discography