Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

The Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge is a Cambridge collegiate choir, under the direction of the musicologist and conductor David Skinner, assisted by Anita Datta and Rachel Haworth as Senior and Junior Organ Scholars.^[1] The composer Eric Whitacre spent three months in the College in 2010, later being appointed Composer in Residence for five years.^[2]

Choir

The choir usually consists of between six and eight sopranos, between six and eight altos, six tenors, three baritones, and three basses.^[3] It sings three services per week during term-time, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Unusually among the collegiate choirs of Oxford and Cambridge, it sings Latin Vespers on Wednesdays. In accordance with the Director's research interests, the choir has a particular focus on 16th century English and Continental music.

A new chamber organ has been commissioned for the chapel, and is being built by Taylor and Boody.^[4]

Recordings

The choir has recorded several CDs under the Obsidian label.^[5] Its collaboration with Fretwork and Alamire, in a CD of the music of Thomas Tomkins, won the Gramophone 'CD of the Month' and 'Editor's Choice' in February 2008.^[6]

Tours

The choir usually tours three times per year. Recent destinations include California, Spain, and Dubai. The choir toured the Italian Riviera in the summer of 2013.^[3]

References