St Chad's College Choir
University of Durham

Welcome

St Chad's College Choir represents a wide cross-section of the College, welcoming undergraduates, postgraduates and members of staff alike. We are delighted to welcome singers from other Colleges.

 

The Choir's primary function is to sing at the College Chapel Services. (Typically a Eucharist on Sunday morning and a midweek Choral Evensong or Choral Eucharist). The range of music is vast, with settings by Byrd and Palestrina through to Stanford and Howells. In addition, the Choir is privileged to sing in Durham Cathedral, usually once or twice each term. The College's annual Advent Procession in the Cathedral is undoubtedly a highlight in this respect; the annual celebration of St Chad’s Day is another.

 

The College values its Choir highly and provides it with many opportunities to play a full and central part in the cultural life of the College. This includes regular concerts and recitals in the chapel and beyond. CD recordings have been released from time to time to mark the ever evolving membership and continuing success and development. 

The Choir undertakes an Annual Tour; a huge part of its heritage and identity. Most frequently this is to major cities in the USA or Canada or Europe.

 

The Choir consists of approximately 36 singers, 12 of whom are formally auditioned as Choral Scholars (or Organ Scholars) and a further 24 who are very informally auditioned (with no previous experience needed). This has given a happy and sociable blend of musical experiences and led to the thriving choir we have today.