News

As the solemn season of Lent continues, the Choir of St John’s College is preparing to premiere the final instalment in Joanna Marsh’s evocative triptych of newly commissioned pieces.

Alice Markham, a second-year English student at St John's College, and Garbhán McEnoy, a second-year Music student at Girton College share their insights into singing with the Choir of St John's College. 

To mark the liturgical season of Epiphany, the Choir of St John’s College will premiere the second of three new choral pieces by British composer Joanna Marsh. Specially commissioned for the Choir, Refugee is a compelling piece that deals with themes that are as relevant now as they were in Biblical times. 

The candlelit Epiphany Carol Services of readings and music tell the story of the coming of Christ, the Magi’s visit, and the presentation in the Temple. 

Magnificat 3

The third installment in our Magnificat series has been shortlisted for the choral award, making it the second album to be nominated for a Gramophone Award

George Herbert

Our outgoing Assistant Organist and former Organ Scholar wins the Northern Ireland Organ Competition and is appointed as Assistant Director of Music at Hampton Court

Christopher Gray (c) Chris Yacoubian

‘Exceptional musician’ Christopher Gray has been named as the new leader of the choir

Andrew Nethsingha

Andrew Nethsingha and the College Choir will present three world premieres from Jonathan Dove, Iain Farrington and David Nunn this term

Andrew Nethsingha (c) Ben Philips

The Director of Music at St John’s has been appointed as Organist and Master of Choristers at Westminster Abbey

Ascension Day 2022

The full choir returned to the top of the tower for the Ascension Day service for the first time since 2018

BBC Radio 3 Broadcast

The choir performed in three broadcasts over the course of a single week, on the radio and in a video live-stream

Die Schöne Müllerin

Our latest soloist release on the 'St John's Cambridge' label features the former chorister and choral scholar Iestyn Davies with pianist Joseph Middleton

Hugh Cutting

Former Choral Scholar Hugh Cutting has won First Prize at the 2021 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, the first countertenor to do so

Flag of The Netherlands

We regret to announce that our planned December tour to the Netherlands and Luxembourg has been postponed

Choristers facing the Bridge of Sighs

St John’s College will continue its reputation for musical excellence by featuring male and female voices – both adults and children – in its world-renowned choir for the first time

Boxgrove Priory

This September, four former members of the Choir perform in the online series from the 2021 Boxgrove Choral Festival

Clare College Song Competition

Johnians and current Choir members, Tom Butler and George Herbert, are both winners of the 2021 competition

James Anderson-Besant (c) James Beddoe

After four years with us here at St John's, our current Assistant Organist will start in his new post at Exeter in September 2021

Virtual Chapel

Until regular Chapel activities can take place, we are resuming 'Virtual Chapel' services for Lent Term

Advent Live - Volume 2

Our latest album Advent Live - Volume 2, featuring live recordings from three of our BBC broadcast Advent Carol Services, will be available from Friday 27th November

Advent Carol Service 2019

We plan to go ahead with our Advent Carol Services this year without a congregation. The second service will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 29th November at 3pm

Ivors Composer Awards

Michael Finnissy's cycle – written over the course of his residency at St John's and recorded on our most recent album release – has been nominated for the choral category award

Quintin Beer

Quintin, a former Chorister (2000-06) and Choral Scholar (2012-15) will take over from interim director Edward Higginbottom in January 2021

Logie Bruce-Lockhart © Anthony Kelly

We are saddened to hear of the loss of Logie Bruce-Lockhart, a former Choral Scholar (1940-46) who later became Headmaster of Gresham’s School (1955-82)

'Pious Anthems & Voluntaries'

The Choir has released a new nine-part cycle composed by Michael Finnissy, St John's Composer in Residence 2016-19. The album has already been selected in Gramophone's 'Editor's Choice'

Declan Costello

Declan, a former Choral Scholar at St John's, is working on research funded by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and sponsored by Public Health England

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Recorded on
9 March 2024

 

A Meditation on the Passion of Christ is a service of music and readings reflecting on the Passion of Christ. This year the service features music by Byrd, Purcell, Weelkes and MacMillan, as well as the final piece of a triptych of works written for the choir by Joanna Marsh.

The commitment, projection and natural energy of this choir have never failed to inspire me

Organists’ Review