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About the choir Camden Chamber Choir are an amateur choir based in central and north London who perform repertoire ranging from the Fifteenth to Twenty-first centuries to a high standard. The choir tends to concentrate on lesser-known works and to sing mainly unaccompanied, though in some concerts keyboard accomaniment or instrumental ensembles also feature. The group usually numbers about 16-20 singers. Entry is by audition by the conductor, and the choir's practice is mainly to rehearse without accompaniment. There are usually four Tuesday evening rehearsals over a period of about 10 weeks for a given concert, and in addition, one Saturday morning and afternoon rehearsal, and a rehearsal on the afternoon of the concert. Rehearsals take place mostly in the Church of St Anne and St Agnes, Gresham Street, City of London, with performances usually at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, London NW3. The choir was founded in 1978 by Julian Williamson as an evening class. Its second conductor, appointed in 1984, was Peter Lea-Cox, who continues to lead the group today. The choir preserves its original educational purposes, and continues to make its performances meaningful to the public. The repertoire truly ranges from the ancient to the modern, including both reviving forgotten masterpieces and working with living composers. A number of premieres and UK premieres have been given. Premieres include works by Antonin Tucapsky, David Arditti, Miriam Mackie, W. F. Hutchinson, Kirsten Morrison, Matt Dungey and Ann Wolff. First UK performances include the late German Baroque composer Homilius's important Johannespassion. The choir's concerts usually include appropriate instrumental works and vocal solos as contrast to the choral singing, and opportunities arise for solo singing and instrumental playing. There is a subscription for members of the choir, which is currently £35 or £25 concession. If you are interested in joining, or in being put on the publicity mailing list, please contact Friederike Englund markandfred@tiscali.co.uk |