College Choir visits Cambridge
Posted on 28th March 2025
College choir at Peterhouse College
A group of students from Hereford Sixth Form College's Music Academy embarked on an enriching three-day tour of Cambridge from Thursday, February 27th to Saturday, March 1st.
The trip commenced with a handful of students visiting the music faculty, where they had an insightful discussion with the music department and valuable information about musical studies and opportunities at Cambridge.
Meanwhile, the rest of the choir prepared for their first singing engagement at Selwyn College. The group was originally scheduled to perform Evensong under the direction of Sarah MacDonald, but in her absence, they had the privilege of working with Tim Brown, the former director of Clare College Choir. His expertise and engaging leadership made the rehearsal an enjoyable experience, leading to a well-received Evensong performance.
Friday began with a few hours of sightseeing, during which some students explored the renowned Fitzwilliam Museum. Later, the group gathered at Peterhouse College for a choral workshop led by Simon Jackson, the Head of Music. The workshop, divided into two sessions with a lunch break in between, focused on unaccompanied choral music and offered a challenging yet rewarding learning experience.
Following the workshop, students had the opportunity to attend Evensong at two of Cambridge’s most prestigious chapels: King’s College and St John’s College. Both services were of an exceptionally high standard, allowing the students to appreciate the beauty of choral music from the audience’s perspective. The day concluded with an evening concert at Peterhouse College featuring a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. (Pictured above)
On their final day, students enjoyed a free morning for sightseeing and a bit of shopping before meeting at Jesus College for their last singing engagement. The group was warmly welcomed by the college’s choir members, who provided a guided tour before a rehearsal with Director of Music, Ben Sheen. The performance featured over fifty singers, including boys and choral scholars, creating a grand and powerful sound. One of the students had the honor of reading a lesson, and the conducting duties were shared among the visiting director and hosts. This performance served as the perfect climax to the musical tour.
The three-day excursion was deemed a resounding success, offering students an inspiring glimpse into university life at Cambridge while allowing them to showcase their musical talents in some of the most prestigious collegiate chapels in the country.