The Queen’s College has a strong musical tradition, and the mixed-voiced chapel choir of twenty-eight singers is recognized as one of the finest such groups in Oxford and Cambridge.
The choir is directed by Dr Owen Rees, Fellow in Music and College Organist. The choir’s principal regular activity during term-time is the singing of Choral Evensong three times a week in the eighteenth-century chapel, which is one of Oxford’s most notable buildings, with fine acoustics for music. There are also special services, such as the famous Boar’s Head carol concert and procession before Christmas, and an open-air service on the morning of Ascension Day. Each term the choir perform concerts in Oxford which include major works often alongside a professional ensemble. The summer concert is in the beautiful surroundings of the Provost’s Garden. The choir’s repertory is wide-ranging and imaginative, ranging from Renaissance and Baroque works to new commissions. In 2011 the choir commissioned and premiered a new work, Welcome all wonders, by the English composer David Bednall. That concert was hailed as ‘a glorious performance’ by the Oxford Times. Welcome all wonders performed by Queen’s is scheduled for release on CD in 2013.
Tours and recordings
Queen’s choir has recently undertaken tours in the USA, Portugal, and Italy. It also sings concerts and services at cathedrals and other venues in the UK, and performs annually in Westminster Abbey in August. The choir appeared in the Warner-Brothers film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which was released in July 2009. In addition to broadcasts including Radio 3 Choral Evensong, the choir records CDs regularly. Its most recent CD, Cæli porta: 17th-century sacred music from Lisbon and Granada (Guild GMCD7323) presents premiere recordings of works from seventeenth-century Portugal and Spain.
Singers and Organ Scholars
The choral establishment includes between eighteen and twenty Choral Scholars and two Organ Scholars. There are also some places each year for volunteer singers. Choral rehearsals are before each service and on Monday lunchtimes. Choral Scholars receive £800 each year, including funding for singing tuition. The Organ Scholars assist with the running of the choir, gain regular conducting experience, play for services and concerts, and help to organize the prestigious series of weekly recitals on the famous Frobenius organ, one of the finest instruments in the U.K. In addition to their £300 annual Scholarship, they receive substantial funding for organ lessons, and guaranteed rooms in main college throughout their time at Queen’s.