Univ Chapel Choir has just returned from a successful six-day tour in Tuscany. The Choir was delighted to welcome it’s new choral and organ scholars on this trip, giving them an opportunity to integrate into college life before they come up! Led by Giles Underwood, Director of Music, the singers explored a diverse collection of sacred and secular choral works.

The Choir Gave two performances; the first in a beautiful private chapel in Vorno, near Lucca, with a programme of secular music to texts by Shakespeare and others, and the second marking a return to the Episcopal Church of St James in Florence, with a Mass by Tomás Luis de Victoria and works by Roxanna Panufnik and John Blow. Both served as a solid preparation for the Choir to work on more challenging repertoire during the coming academic year.

If you would like to hear the Choir sing – look no further. There will be a Come-and-Sing Concert and an Evensong as part of the College 775 Festival on September 28, featuring the pieces we have worked on during this trip. (Day tickets have sold out, but you can still join our waiting list.) Alternatively, you can join our Freshers’ Evensong on the first Sunday of term, and services every Sunday during term time!

Joining the Chapel Choir is a fruitful addition to your college experience! You will not only enjoy rewarding tours like this but also free singing lessons and ample performance opportunities with professional musicians, including our own Martlet Voices. You’ll also make many friends across year groups through our social events, including formals throughout the year (Christmas is always a highlight) and football tournaments (which we hope will be more successful this year…) If you’d like to know more about taking part in musical activities, please join our Music@Univ information session during Welcome Week, Wednesday, October 9 at 1630. Auditions for the choir are being held earlier on the same day from 0900 to 1300. If you cannot make that time, then please contact Giles (giles.underwood@univ.ox.ac.uk) to arrange another time.

The Choir had a wonderful time in Tuscany! We thank William Fforde (1975, Classics), a former organ scholar, who generously provided accommodation in Lucca for us. We would also like to thank Giles, Carys Lane and Toby Ward (2022, Music) for organising the trip. Finally, the tour would not have been possible without the College’s support, and the Choir would like to thank the Chaplain and the Master.

Samuel Lam (2022, DPhil in Mathematics)

Published: 25 September 2024

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