The Choir

New College Choir is an outstanding part of musical life in Britain. William of Wykeham - who also rebuilt Windsor Castle for Edward III and founded Winchester College - was responsible for its creation. He provided for sixteen choristers, and clerks to sing the daily office in his magnificent medieval chapel. This practice still continues within the context of today’s University life. Both the children and the young adults of the choir receive a musical training of the highest standard, in keeping with a world-class university.

They develop their potential to the full, meeting not only the daily needs of the chapel services but also the challenges of the recording studio and the concert platform. The success of the Choir in recent times can be measured in 80 CD recordings, and a reputation extending across the world. The recordings encompass the classics of the English Cathedral repertoire with Taverner, Byrd and Tye at one end and Stanford and Howells at the other; masterpieces of the French renaissance by Du Caurroy and Lejeune; the baroque triumphs of Purcell, Mondonville and Handel. Latterly highly successful compilations such as Agnus Dei, Early One Morning and Bluebird have won over huge new audiences for its work.

The Choir’s director, {Edward Higginbottom}, brings to the Choir’s interpretations not only his musicianship, but also his scholarly insights. His work at Oxford is divided between the Choir and Faculty of Music, spanning standing ovations at the Concertgebouw to teaching first-year undergraduates music aesthetics of the time of Louis XIV. His work with New College Choir has placed him among the leading choral conductors of our time.

In these pages you will find information about joining New College Choir. For fuller information about the Choir, its activities, recordings and concerts, visit the New College Choir website.

If you are interested in inviting the Choir to give a concert, or to take part in a recording, or if you would like a detailed discography or to purchase a CD, then please email: edward.higginbottom@new.ox.ac.uk