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 and the USA: a trip to Rome is planned for Easter 2012. 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
Emmanuel’s choir contains both Choral Scholars (elected at the time of application to 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. If you are considering applying for a choral scholarship for entry in 2013 or later please begin by reading the University pages on the Choral Award Scheme. An open day for choral scholarships will be held in May 2011, and the Director of Music, Dr Christopher Whitton, is glad to meet potential applicants through the year.