Symphony Chorus

There will be rehearsals this year, some in person and some online, and we will have concerts as soon as government and university guidelines allow us. Please check this page for news about auditions and our plans for the year.

You can sign up for a chorus audition here. If you have any questions, please email info@camchorus.uk

Cambridge University Symphony Chorus is a busy and vibrant choir of approximately 120 members which gives singers the fantastic opportunity to perform some of the most dramatic and passionate choral music ever written. The chance to sing mass works such as Verdi Requiem, Mendelssohn Elijah and Mahler Symphony No.8 and other large-scale repertoire rarely performed in College Choirs, is part of what makes the Symphony Chorus so special.

Cambridge University Symphony Chorus has truly flourished over the past 30 years, delivering exceptional performances of choral classics. A guest conductor is invited for one term each year. The Chorus also enjoys trips and performances abroad for example Florence, Prague, Tallinn, Paris, Lisbon and, most recently, Rome. If you’re passionate about singing and looking for the chance to perform some of the grandest vocal repertory, CU Symphony Chorus is the place for you.

Michaelmas Term Programme 2020

We are going to Finland!

This term, we will be going on an exciting journey to Finland by way of beautiful Sibelius songs for SATB choir. Led by Musical Director Richard Wilberforce, we will discover the cultural heritage of the music and of its language.  There will be other companions on our journey, too, such as Finnish language coach Andrea Eklund, who will show us how singer-friendly Finnish is, and Baritone Robert Rice, who will provide interesting warm-ups. One evening will be dedicated to an interview with Nils Schweckendiek of the Helsinki Chamber Choir about ‘The Finnish Choral Tradition’ and there will also be an hour-long vocal coaching session by Anita Morrison, Professor of Singing at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

Our journey will take 8 weeks, with weekly online rehearsals as well as fortnightly physical rehearsals, rules permitting, and possibly a performance to ourselves at the final destination.

Get your ticket now!

Sign up for an audition with the symphony chorus here. 

 

2019-2020 highlights:

  • 30th November 2019: A rare performance of Elgar The Kingdom, with Leeds Philharmonic Choir and Faust Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Hill (Ely Cathedral).
  • 5th to 8th December 2019: Tour to Aachen for a joint concert of a cappella music with our fellow choir Cappella Aquensis.
  • 8th March 2020: French late C19th and early C20th music including new arrangements by Robin Holloway, Joy Lisney and Toby Hession, with Seraphin Project,  conducted by Richard Wilberforce.
  • 13th June 2020: Mozart’s ever-popular Requiem, with East Anglia Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Richard Wilberforce (King’s College Chapel). Cancelled due to COVID-19. 

Review: June 2019: CUMS May Week Concert at King’s College Chapel. Read here.

Review: March 2016: Cambridge University Symphony Chorus helps to resurrect Spohr’s ‘The Last Judgement’. Read here.

Review: 16th May 2015, Choral Workshop with David Hill (Wesley Methodist Church).  Click here for a review.

Interview: Jessica Scaife talks about life as a Chorus member and the exciting programmes in the 2013-14 Season. Read here.

Review: Ralph Woodward conducts Handel, Rameau and Bach 23/2/14, Varsity. Read here.

Chorus Committee 2020-21

Richard Wilberforce (Musical Director), 

Liesbeth Blom (President), 

Chris Ford (Treasurer), 

Liz Morris (Registrar), 

Kingsley Reavell (Development Officer), 

Lea Hibou (Social Secretary), 

Ann Bergin (Webmaster), 

Sarah Boyer (Chorus Representative), 

Miranda Zwalf (Fundraising)