On top of the calendar of concerts and recitals hosted at St Catharine’s, our musicians – including our talented choristers – are contributing to performances away from College in Cambridge, London and Durham over the next two months. Members and friends of the St Catharine’s community and friends are warmly invited to come along to these events.
Some of our choristers
Kellaway Concert | 8 March | St Catharine’s Chapel
Before they travel further afield, the College Choir will be performing a selection of works from the Renaissance to the Contemporary. This is a great opportunity to hear music by Bach and beyond that will be performed in London later in March (see below).
This concert starts at 7 pm, lasting one hour. Admission is free but ticket reservations are recommended.
electro//acoustic day | 14 March | West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
Part of the Cambridge Festival, this day of concerts will bring together classical instrumental, vocal repertoire and cutting-edge electronic music, including pieces contributed by Annie Chown and Sam Thackray (both third-year Music undergraduates), and a joint performance by St Catharine’s College Choir and the choir of Girton College.
The College Choir in concert | 15 March | Temple Church, London
The concert will feature works ranging from Byrd and Bach, as well as compositions by two of our current students. The concert will start at 7pm and last one hour. Drinks will be available after the concert.
Catherine Twilley (2023), Fellow & Development Director, said:
“This concert has been made possible through the generosity of Guy Beringer CBE KC (1973, History; Fellow Commoner 2008) and we hope that alumni (and their friends and family) from London and the surrounding area will be able to come together for this special event. You are welcome just to turn up, but so that we can gauge numbers and plan catering, we would be grateful if you would let us know you plan to attend by using our booking form.”
There is no charge to attend, but donations to support the Choir are welcome. There will also be a retiring collection on the night. Unless places are filled beforehand, bookings will close at midday on 8 March 2024.
The Girls’ Choir tour | 2–4 April | Durham Cathedral
The St Catharine’s Girls’ Choir will sing Evensong at Durham Cathedral at 5.30pm on three nights (2–4 April) and also give a lunchtime recital in the Cathedral at 1.15–2pm on 3 April, featuring a range of music from medieval pieces to more contemporary works.
Dr Edward Wickham (2003), Fellow & Director of Music, commented:
“I’m delighted that almost all of our Girls’ Choir are travelling with us to Durham – 19 choristers in total. Durham Cathedral will provide a beautiful backdrop to their singing and be a memorable experience for everyone, especially our newest choristers who are on tour for the first time.”
These choral performances are free to attend and no booking is necessary.
In addition, the Alumni & Development Office is arranging a reception on 4 April for alumni and guests, which will be held at St John’s College in Durham immediately after that afternoon’s Evensong. For further details, and to book, please email alumni.office@caths.cam.ac.uk.
Cambridge Early Music Consort | 3 May | The Round Church, Cambridge
Save the date for this showcase concert by the recently-formed Cambridge Early Music Consort. This new ensemble is co-directed by Dr Wickham and Matthew Gouldstone, who has been a Visiting Scholar at St Catharine’s. Tickets for this event are limited; if you are interested in attending, please contact Dr Wickham directly (music@caths.cam.ac.uk).
Looking further ahead
College Choir tour | 28 June – 3 July | Szeged and Budapest, Hungary
The College Choir’s annual tour this summer will be to Cambridge’s twin city, Szeged. Details will be added shortly to the College’s choir tour webpage.
2025 tour to California
The Girls’ Choir will travel to California in April 2025 for their next tour, in support of an ongoing collaboration with the Piedmont Children’s Choir (who are visiting St Catharine’s in June for a concert in the Chapel).
Dr Wickham added, “I am excited that our connection with the Piedmont Children’s Choir has gone from strength to strength. Many of the choristers who joined us on our last visit had a fantastic experience and are still in touch with the choristers who they met over in Piedmont. We have exciting plans for fundraising – further details will follow but donors are welcome to get in touch at any point.”
