Choir of Girton College, Cambridge
| Choir of Girton College, Cambridge | |
|---|---|
| Choir | |
East Window of Girton College Chapel | |
| Members | Around 25 students, predominantly of Girton College, Cambridge |
| Music director | Gareth Wilson |
| Website | Girton College Chapel Choir |
The Choir of Girton College, Cambridge, is an English chapel choir in the Anglican musical tradition. As the choir of Girton College, in the University of Cambridge, it has been mixed since men were first admitted to the college in 1979.[1] It is currently led by theologian and composer Gareth Wilson[2] and has become well known in recent years for recordings and performances of the late-renaissance Italian composer Marc'Antonio Ingegneri (c. 1535 or 1536 – 1 July 1592).[3]
The choir exists in a wider Cambridge tradition of collegiate chapel choirs, others including those at Sidney Sussex, St John's, King's, and Trinity. The location of the college in Girton village, outside of the city of Cambridge itself, has led to the choir being dubbed "arguably the finest Cambridge choir outside of Cambridge".[4]
The choir sings evensong on Sundays and compline on Tuesdays in the college chapel, also performing concerts and singing grace for significant college occasions.[1] Unusually for Cambridge, the Girton choir does not wear cassocks nor surplices, instead using academic gowns. These undergraduate gowns have a distinctive cut, designed to allow for ease of cycling, given the distance from the main college site to central Cambridge.
The chapel organ, installed in 2002, is widely respected as an instrument throughout the university,[5] and the college maintains two organ scholars (also members of the choir) who play for services and other events.[1][6]
Previous directors of chapel music have included Dr Martin Ennis,[7] who remains head of music at Girton, and Jonathan Rathbone.[8]
Recent international tours have included to Palestine and Israel (2019),[9] Lombardy (2018 & 2023), Portugal (2024), and to Czechia and Bavaria (2022 & 2025).[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Girton College. "Girton College Chapel Choir". www.girton.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge (23 October 2017). "Mr Gareth Wilson". www.mus.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Girton College. "Girton College Chapel Choir to release fifth album celebrating composer Marc'Antonio Ingegneri". www.girton.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "The Chapel Choir of Girton College, Cambridge - UK". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 5 July 2025.[self-published]
- ^ Girton College. "Girton Music Facilities". www.girton.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Rathcol (14 July 2000). "A night of rich rewards". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge (13 September 2013). "Dr Martin Ennis". www.mus.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Village plays host to Girton College choir". News Shopper. 18 June 2002. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Girton College. "Girton College Choir to release new CD 'Palestrina'". www.girton.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2025.