Michaelmas Term 2020: 

We are very pleased that choral services will resume in chapel with Freshers' Evensong on Sunday of 1st week, 11th October, at 6.45pm. We will have three services a week: Choral Evensong on Sundays (normally 5.45), Compline on Tuesdays at 9pm, and Sung Eucharist on Thursdays at 6.15pm.

The services will all be sung by the men of the choir. Following Department for Education guidance, our choristers will be rehearsing as much as possible in their year group bubbles, and we're working to bring their voices to a wider audience in recorded and streamed performances.

If you are a current student, staff member or fellow you are very welcome to attend services in chapel, and it will be a joy to gather together again. There will be the usual precautions around distancing and hygiene and we ask for your patience. For this term chapel services, like all college events, will not be open to visitors, including friends and family and old members. We are aiming to livestream Sunday evensong to reach those who cannot be with us in person. We look forward to the day when we can welcome everyone back and hear the choir in full voice.

The Chapel and Choir

The Chapel has been a fundamental part of New College life since the College’s foundation in 1379, when William of Wykeham placed the building at the heart of the college and endowed a choir of men and boys to sing daily services. The Choir of New College is now internationally renowned, but even today their primarily role is to sing at chapel services, which form a gathering point for students, staff and fellows, and are also attended by members of the local community and visitors from around the world. For people of all faiths or none, the Chapel and its choral services provide a place of quiet and contemplation away from the stresses of daily life. Although the Chapel was founded to serve the College community of fellows, students and staff, we welcome all our visitors who are drawn to its history, its music and its witness of faith.

In addition to singing at services, the Choir of New College has a busy concert and touring schedule, and has also released over 100 recordings. The Organist, Robert Quinney, welcomes enquiries from prospective students and parents of prospective choristers. More information about the Choir can be found on the Choir of New College website. 

Music has always been a strength of New College, and the Chapel is used by students and external groups for concerts, plays and lectures that form a welcome and diverse contribution to College life. Full details of how to book the Chapel can be found in the Concert Guidelines.