Joining the Choir
Emmanuel has a choir of around 25 men and women, which sings at services each Thursday and Sunday in term. College occasions are marked with special services throughout the year. Besides this regular schedule, the choir makes occasional visits to other British churches and cathedrals, as well as an annual foreign tour, recent destinations for which have included Mexico, Sweden, Thailand, the USA and (in March 2012) Rome. In recent years the choir has also joined forces with the University Musical Society (CUMS) to perform Elgar’s Kingdom in King’s College Chapel and Mahler’s Second Symphony in Ely Cathedral.
Many singers are attracted to the choir by our reputation for high musical standards, an exciting programme of events and a very warm atmosphere. The relatively light weekly schedule at Emmanuel makes this an ideal option for people who, in addition to regular high-quality singing, wish to pursue other activities during their time in Cambridge.
Benefits of joining the choir include:
- Free singing lessons with a superb teacher, Berty Rice
- International tours
- Trips to sing in venues in the UK
- An honorarium for Choral Scholars and Exhibitioners
- Free formal dinners after services
Typical weekly schedule:
- Tuesday 5.15-6.45pm rehearsal
- Thursday 4.45-6.45pm rehearsal and Eucharist
- Sunday 4.30-7.00pm rehearsal and Evensong
Like many Cambridge choirs, Emmanuel's contains a mixture of Choral Scholars (elected before arrival at Cambridge) and Choral Exhibitioners and Volunteers, who join when already students at Cambridge. These include both undergraduates and graduates, from Emmanuel and from other colleges. The choir is now formed for 2011–12 but occasional vacancies arise: please contact the Director of Chapel Music, Richard Latham, with any enquiries. For 2013 entry and beyond, Choral Awards at Cambridge will be auditioned after academic places have been awarded (see the University pages on the Choral Award Scheme). Emmanuel will not take part in the intercollegiate scheme but will offer its own Choral Awards, on the same terms, to offer holders, with auditions held in spring 2013 for entry in October 2013. In addition, it will continue to recruit singers from Emmanuel and from other colleges on arrival at the start of the Michaelmas Term. University-wide open days for choral scholarships are held in April/May each year, but the Director of Music, Dr Christopher Whitton, and the Director of Chapel Music, Richard Latham, are glad to answer questions and to meet potential applicants through the year.