Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

:

Choral

 

Ex Cathedra Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Birmingham, England. The choir was founded in 1969 by Jeffrey Skidmore, who remains its artistic director to this day. Over the years, Ex Cathedra has established itself as one of the leading choirs in the UK, known for its exceptional performances of early and contemporary music. The early years of Ex Cathedra were marked by a focus on Renaissance and Baroque music, with the choir performing works by composers such as Monteverdi, Bach, and Handel. In the 1980s, the choir began to expand its repertoire to include contemporary music, and has since commissioned and premiered works by a number of prominent composers, including James MacMillan, Roxanna Panufnik, and Tarik O'Regan. One of the defining characteristics of Ex Cathedra is its commitment to historically informed performance practice. The choir uses period instruments and follows historical performance techniques in its interpretations of early music, and works closely with musicologists and scholars to ensure that its performances are as authentic as possible. Ex Cathedra has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK and abroad, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The choir has also appeared at numerous festivals, including the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Spitalfields Festival. One of the highlights of Ex Cathedra's career was its performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion at the BBC Proms in 2001. The performance was widely praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and cemented Ex Cathedra's reputation as one of the finest choirs in the UK. Ex Cathedra has also won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2003, the choir was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for its recording of Handel's Chandos Anthems, and in 2014 it won the BBC Music Magazine Award for its recording of music by the 16th-century composer John Sheppard. In addition to its performances and recordings, Ex Cathedra is also committed to education and outreach. The choir runs a number of educational programs for young people, including workshops, masterclasses, and concerts, and has worked with schools and community groups across the UK to promote the appreciation of classical music. Overall, Ex Cathedra Choir has established itself as one of the most important and influential classical music ensembles in the UK. With its commitment to historically informed performance practice, its exceptional musicianship, and its dedication to education and outreach, the choir has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music, and continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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