Choir of St John's College, Cambridge
Encyclopedia
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, is a collegiate choir of the English cathedral tradition. Though early records are obscure, it is known that its origins can be traced to the original foundation of the College in 1511. As well as daily singing of the liturgy in the college Chapel, it broadcasts and records extensively. It is set apart from other English choirs by its distinctive 'Continental' sound.
Choir
The choir follows the English cathedral tradition of men and boys.The boys are educated at the St John's College School, at the extreme west end of the College grounds. They travel to and from Chapel wearing a miniature version of the college's undergraduate dress — mortar board
Mortar Board
Mortar Board is an American national honor society whose purpose is to recognize outstanding students dedicated to the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Cornell University Der Hexenkreis chapter, founded in 1892, is the oldest and predates the national society's founding in 1918...
s and academic gowns (or cloaks in the winter) over their uniforms. As well as the traditional church choir ranks of head and deputy head choristers, one boy a year is awarded the George Guest
George Guest
George Guest was a Welsh organist and choral conductor.- Birth and early life :George Guest was born in Bangor, Wales. His father was an organist, and George assisted him by acting as organ blower. He became a chorister at Bangor Cathedral, and subsequently at Chester Cathedral, where he...
medal, in memory of the former Organist. Upon leaving the choir, many boys take up music scholarships at the country's leading independent schools.
The men of the choir are either undergraduates at the College or, occasionally, lay clerks (who have generally just graduated from St John's or another Cambridge college). As well as singing with the boys, they sing one service a week on their own and all services when the boys are on their half term holiday.
As the Gentlemen of St. John's, they also sing lighter music, and are in frequent demand for concerts, May Ball
May Ball
A May Ball is a ball at the end of the academic year that happens at any one of the colleges of the University of Cambridge. They are formal affairs, requiring evening dress, with ticket prices of around £65 to £200 , with some colleges selling tickets only in pairs...
s, and many other engagements; they have also recorded many CDs ranging from close-harmony to renaissance music and tour regularly around the world.
Repertoire
Services follow the tradition of the Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, generally consisting of a Sunday Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
and evensong
Evening Prayer (Anglican)
Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening...
every day except Monday. Like the other elite cathedral and collegiate choirs, the repertoire extends far beyond the core Anglican pieces. The efforts of organists over the centuries have broadened it further: Walmisley
Thomas Attwood Walmisley
Thomas Attwood Walmisley was an English composer and organist.-Early life:He was born in London, the son of Thomas Forbes Gerrard Walmisley , a well-known organist and composer of church music and glees...
, for example (whose godfather Thomas Attwood
Thomas Attwood
Thomas Attwood was a British economist, the leading figure of the underconsumptionist Birmingham School of economists, and, as the founder of the Birmingham Political Union, a leading figure in the public campaign for the Great Reform Act of 1832.He was born in Halesowen, and attended Halesowen...
studied under Mozart) collaborated with Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
, while George Guest was a great advocate of contemporary French choral music.
Many composers have written for the choir. Herbert Howells
Herbert Howells
Herbert Norman Howells CH was an English composer, organist, and teacher, most famous for his large output of Anglican church music.-Life:...
wrote a set of evening Canticles, as did Sir Michael Tippett, who was reputedly attracted by the renowned trompeta real stop on the organ. The College continues to commission new works from contemporary composers, particularly for the Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
and Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, in the calendar of Western Christianity, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter. It is a moveable fast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter...
services, including recently Bob Chilcott
Bob Chilcott
Robert "Bob" Chilcott is a British choral composer, conductor, and singer, based in Oxford, England.Born in Plymouth, Chilcott sang in the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, both as a boy and as a university student. He performed the Pie Jesu of Fauré's Requiem on the 1967 recording. In 1985 he...
, Philip Moore
Philip Moore (organist)
Philip Moore is an English composer and organist.-Career:After studying at the Royal College of Music, he became Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral in 1968. He was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral in 1974...
, Tarik O'Regan
Tarik O'Regan
Tarik O'Regan , full name Tarik Hamilton O'Regan , is a British composer, partly of Algerian extraction. His compositions number over 90 and are partially represented on 22 recordings which have been recognised with two GRAMMY nominations. He is also the recipient of two British Composer Awards...
, and Dr John Rutter
John Rutter
John Milford Rutter CBE is a British composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music.-Biography:Born in London, Rutter was educated at Highgate School, where a fellow pupil was John Tavener. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the...
.
Recordings and special events
The choir has an extensive discography, and tends to record two CDs a year. The series of recordings of English church music, recorded under Christopher RobinsonChristopher Robinson (musician)
Christopher John Robinson CVO CBE is a British conductor and organist. After being organ scholar at Christ Church, Oxford he worked as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Worcester Cathedral. In 1974 he became Organist and Choirmaster at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle a position he held...
and released on label Naxos Records
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
, attracted particular critical acclaim. The choir's most recent CD release is David Hill's final recording with St. John's, a CD of music by Edward Bairstow
Edward Bairstow
Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow was born in Huddersfield on 22 August 1874 and died in York on 1 May 1946. He was an English organist and composer in the Anglican church music tradition....
featuring baritone Roderick Williams and the Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra ensemble based in Cambridge, UK. It was created in 1992, following an initiative from Eastern Arts and a number of key figures including Nicholas Cleobury, who recognised the need for an orchestra in the East of England. It is a flexible ensemble composed of...
. Under the new direction of Andrew Nethsingha, the choir have recently recorded two CDs yet to be released, including a disc of music for choir, harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
and organ, featuring Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
's Chichester Psalms
Chichester Psalms
Chichester Psalms is a choral work by Leonard Bernstein for boy treble or countertenor, solo quartet, choir and orchestra...
and "Otcenáš" (the Lord's Prayer
Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer is a central prayer in Christianity. In the New Testament of the Christian Bible, it appears in two forms: in the Gospel of Matthew as part of the discourse on ostentation in the Sermon on the Mount, and in the Gospel of Luke, which records Jesus being approached by "one of his...
) by Leoš Janáček
Leoš Janácek
Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and all Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to folkloristic research and his early musical output was influenced by...
.
As well as this, the choir tours extensively, gives concerts in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
and beyond, and broadcasts frequently. The Advent carol service and Evensong for Ash Wednesday in particular are often broadcast by BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
as part of the station's regular broadcast of choral evensong. The choir also webcasts some of its services, with two or three being available for download from its website each term.
There are occasionally special services in Chapel which add variety to its liturgical life. There is a Lenten meditation, an Epiphany service with carols, and, every few months, services in which the choir is joined by another Cambridge collegiate choir. Every year, there is a joint evensong with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Choir of King's College, Cambridge
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI, who founded King's College, Cambridge in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel, which remains the main task of the...
; the venue alternates between King's and St John's each year.
Perhaps the most unusual tradition is the Ascension Day carol. Legend has it that, in the 19th century, the then Organist was challenged to a bet that the choir could not be heard from the tower roof: the following Ascension Day, they ascended the 163 feet (50 m) tower and proved this to be wrong. The tradition continues; at noon after the sung Eucharist, the congregation (and other visitors) gather in First Court to hear the choir, now 'assisted' by microphones.
Notable former choristers, choral and organ scholars
- Andrew CarwoodAndrew CarwoodAndrew Carwood is the Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral in London and director of his own group, The Cardinall's Musick.-Biography:He was educated at The John Lyon School, Harrow and was a choral scholar in the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under Dr George Guest, a lay clerk at...
(choral scholar), early music performer and conductor, Director of Music St Paul's CathedralSt Paul's CathedralSt Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother... - Stephen CleoburyStephen CleoburyStephen Cleobury CBE is an English organist and conductor. He was organ scholar at St John's College, Cambridge and sub-organist of Westminster Abbey before becoming Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in 1979...
(organ scholarOrgan scholarAn organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
), director of music at King's CollegeKing's College, CambridgeKing's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University.... - Iestyn DaviesIestyn DaviesIestyn Davies is a British classical countertenor.-Education and background:Iestyn Davies was a boy treble in the choir of St John’s College, Cambridge. He began singing countertenor in his teens, at Wells Cathedral School. He returned to St John's as a choral scholar, graduating in archaeology...
(choral scholar), International Countertenor (Visit website) - Jimmy EdwardsJimmy EdwardsJimmy Edwards DFC was an English comedic script writer and comedy actor on both radio and television, best known as Pa Glum in Take It From Here and as the headmaster 'Professor' James Edwards in Whack-O!-Biography:...
(choral scholar), comedian - John GostlingJohn GostlingJohn Gostling was a 17th century Church of England clergyman and bass singer famed for his range and power. He was a favourite singer of Charles II and is particularly associated with the music of Henry Purcell.-Background:...
, famous bass associated with Henry PurcellHenry PurcellHenry Purcell – 21 November 1695), was an English organist and Baroque composer of secular and sacred music. Although Purcell incorporated Italian and French stylistic elements into his compositions, his legacy was a uniquely English form of Baroque music... - Harry Gregson-WilliamsHarry Gregson-WilliamsHarry Gregson-Williams is a prolific British composer, orchestrator, conductor, and music producer. He is best known for his film scores, of which he has composed over sixty using electronic music and orchestral pieces...
(chorister) Eminent film-score composer (Bridget Jones, Chicken Run, Shrek, Kingdom of Heaven etc.) - Robert KingRobert King (conductor)Robert King is an English conductor and harpsichordist. As a youth, he was a member of the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge...
(chorister, choral scholar), early music performer and conductor - Simon KeenlysideSimon KeenlysideSimon Keenlyside CBE is a British baritone who has had an active international career performing in operas and concerts since the mid 1980s.-Early life and education:...
(chorister, choral scholar) currently considered one of the world's finest baritones on the opera and recital stage - Andrew Lumsden (organ scholar), Organist & Master of the Choristers, Winchester CathedralWinchester CathedralWinchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
- Clive MantleClive Mantle-Early life and education:Mantle was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire and a chorister in St John's College Choir for four years...
(chorister) Eminent in television, theatre and screen - for example "Dr Mike Barratt" in BBC 1's "Casualty" - John ScottJohn Scott (organist)John Gavin Scott LVO is an English-born organist and choirmaster. He directed the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London from 1990 to 2004. He now directs the Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church on 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City...
(organ scholar), director of music of St Thomas Church, New York - Edward Minton (chorister), member of the band Elliot MinorElliot MinorElliot Minor are a classically influenced rock band from York, England. The group consists of Alex Davies , Ed Minton , Dan Hetherton and Ed Hetherton .-History and formation: 2000-2006 :...
Many recent choral scholars continue to sing in professional groups, whilst organ scholars often lead the music in English cathedrals (such as St Edmundsbury, Carlisle
Carlisle Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, otherwise called Carlisle Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Carlisle. It is located in Carlisle, in Cumbria, North West England...
, and Wells
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
). In addition, several former organ scholars have subsequently gone on to direct the choir, as was the case with George Guest, David Hill and Andrew Nethsingha.
Directors of Music
- Mr Lusmere 1661
- Mr Hawkins 1681
- Thomas Williams 1682
- Bernard Turner 1729
- William Tireman 1777
- Jonathan Sharpe 1777
- John Clarke Whitfeld (1799-1820) then organist Hereford CathedralHereford CathedralThe current Hereford Cathedral, located at Hereford in England, dates from 1079. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediæval map of the world dating from the 13th century. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.-Origins:...
- William Beale 1820
- Samuel Matthews 1821
- Thomas Attwood WalmisleyThomas Attwood WalmisleyThomas Attwood Walmisley was an English composer and organist.-Early life:He was born in London, the son of Thomas Forbes Gerrard Walmisley , a well-known organist and composer of church music and glees...
(1833–1856) - simultaneously organist at Trinity CollegeTrinity College, CambridgeTrinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
- Alfred Bennett (1856)
- George GarrettGeorge Garrett (musician)George Mursell Garrett was an English organist and composer.Garrett was born in Winchester where his father was master of the choristers at Winchester Cathedral. He later served as assistant to Samuel Sebastian Wesley at Winchester. Garrett was appointed the Director of Music at St...
(1857–1897) - Edward Thomas Sweeting (1897-1901)
- Cyril RoothamCyril RoothamCyril Bradley Rootham was an English composer, educator, organist and important figure in Cambridge music life.-Biography:...
(1901–1938) - Robin OrrRobin OrrRobert Kelmsley Orr CBE was a Scottish composer.Born in Brechin, he studied at the Royal College of Music in London and at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Following studies with Alfredo Casella and Nadia Boulanger he returned to Cambridge in 1938 as Organist of St John's College. During his war...
(1938–1951) - Herbert HowellsHerbert HowellsHerbert Norman Howells CH was an English composer, organist, and teacher, most famous for his large output of Anglican church music.-Life:...
(acting organist, 1941–1945) - George GuestGeorge GuestGeorge Guest was a Welsh organist and choral conductor.- Birth and early life :George Guest was born in Bangor, Wales. His father was an organist, and George assisted him by acting as organ blower. He became a chorister at Bangor Cathedral, and subsequently at Chester Cathedral, where he...
(1951-1991) - Christopher RobinsonChristopher Robinson (musician)Christopher John Robinson CVO CBE is a British conductor and organist. After being organ scholar at Christ Church, Oxford he worked as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Worcester Cathedral. In 1974 he became Organist and Choirmaster at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle a position he held...
(1991–2003) - David HillDavid Hill (choral director)David Hill , is a choral conductor and organist. His most high profile roles are as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from September 2007, and Musical Director of The Bach Choir from April 1998. He was previously Organist and Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge, in succession to...
(2003–2007) - Andrew NethsinghaAndrew NethsinghaAndrew Nethsingha , MA, FRCO, ARCM, is an English choral conductor and organist. He is Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge, where he was previously Organ Scholar. He was also President of the Cathedral Organists' Association...
(2007–)