Country

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United Kingdom

Genre

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Choral

 

New College Choir, Oxford is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been enchanting audiences with its ethereal music for over 600 years. The choir is based at New College, Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges of the University of Oxford, and is made up of boy choristers and adult male singers. The choir was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, the Bishop of Winchester and the founder of New College. The choir was initially made up of ten boy choristers and three lay clerks, and its primary purpose was to provide music for the daily services at the college chapel. Over the centuries, the choir has grown in size and reputation, and today it is considered one of the finest choirs in the world. The choir's current director is Robert Quinney, who has been at the helm since 2014. Quinney is a renowned organist and conductor, and has worked with some of the world's leading orchestras and choirs. He is also a Fellow of New College, Oxford, and has been involved with the choir for many years. The choir's main members are the boy choristers, who are aged between 7 and 13, and the adult male singers, who are known as lay clerks. The boy choristers are selected through a rigorous audition process, and are chosen for their musical ability and potential. They receive a world-class education in music, and are trained to sing at the highest level. The lay clerks are professional singers who provide the adult voices in the choir, and are also highly skilled musicians. The choir's repertoire is vast and varied, and includes music from the medieval period to the present day. The choir is particularly renowned for its performances of Renaissance and Baroque music, and has recorded many albums of this repertoire. The choir also performs contemporary music, and has commissioned and premiered works by some of the world's leading composers. The choir has performed at many of the world's leading concert halls and festivals, and has collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. Some of the choir's most notable performances include its appearance at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, and its performance at the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013. The choir has also won many awards and accolades over the years. In 2016, the choir won the Gramophone Award for Best Choral Recording for its album of music by Thomas Tallis. The choir has also been nominated for several other Gramophone Awards, and has won numerous other awards for its recordings and performances. In addition to its concert and recording work, the choir is also involved in the musical life of New College, Oxford. The choir provides music for the college's daily services, and also performs at special events and occasions. The choir is also involved in the education and training of young musicians, and runs a successful outreach program that provides music education to children in the local community. In conclusion, New College Choir, Oxford is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been enchanting audiences with its ethereal music for over 600 years. The choir's rich history, world-class musicianship, and commitment to musical education and outreach make it one of the most important and beloved choirs in the world.

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