The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Although the first day of term is officially Thursday (the start of lectures - Cambridge academic weeks run Thursday-Wednesday for some reason), the real 'start of term' is today, with the resumption of choral services in Chapel, beginning with the Matriculation Service. We've now met all of the new Choral Scholars and welcomed them warmly into the Choir, teaching them the tricks of the trade, Johnian traditions and bringing them in to the Choir's ethos which surrounds its sound and our singing - always an exciting time! And we are soundly assured that there is no lacking in spirit amongst them.

On this first day of choral services, we bring you a Sung Eucharist webcast from the last day of choral services at the end of the Easter Term. Byrd's Mass for five voices is certainly one of my favourites and has remained in the Choir's repertoire without break for the last 60 years - a testament to its brilliant part-writing and word-painting. Both intimate and epic, understated and passionate, and written ideally for singers allowing a good balance of detail with the ultra legato lines which it permeates - it could have been written for the warm acoustic of our Chapel (though it was most likely sung in secret by a group of five singers). On top of this, I know that the tenors certainly have a good time on their split parts.