Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Choir of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their angelic voices for over a century. The choir was founded in 1901 by Richard Terry, who was the organist and choirmaster at the time. Terry was a pioneer in the revival of early music and was instrumental in establishing the choir's reputation for excellence in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. Under Terry's leadership, the choir quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional musicianship and became a fixture in the Oxford music scene. The choir's first major performance was in 1902, when they sang at the consecration of the new chapel at Keble College. This performance was a resounding success and helped to establish the choir as one of the leading ensembles in the country. Over the years, the choir has performed at many prestigious venues and events, including the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. The choir has also toured extensively, performing in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. One of the highlights of the choir's history was their performance at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The choir was chosen to sing the anthem "I was glad" by Sir Hubert Parry, which is traditionally performed at coronations. The performance was broadcast live on television and was watched by millions of people around the world. The choir's performance was widely praised for its beauty and precision, and it helped to cement the choir's reputation as one of the finest ensembles in the world. In addition to their many performances, the choir has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1961, the choir was awarded the Queen's Award for Outstanding Service to Music, which is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a musical ensemble in the United Kingdom. The choir has also been awarded the Gramophone Award for Best Choral Recording on several occasions, most recently in 2016 for their recording of Thomas Tallis' "Spem in alium." Today, the Choir of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford continues to be one of the leading ensembles in the world of classical music. The choir is currently led by Daniel Hyde, who was appointed as the choir's director of music in 2009. Under Hyde's leadership, the choir has continued to perform at the highest level and has expanded its repertoire to include works from a wide range of musical periods and styles. Despite the many changes that have taken place over the years, the choir's commitment to excellence and its dedication to the performance of beautiful music remains as strong as ever. The Choir of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford is a true treasure of the classical music world, and its legacy will continue to inspire and delight audiences for generations to come.

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