Chapel Music

Music in chapel is directed by Dr Sam Barrett with the assistance of two organ scholars, both of whom play a full part in the planning, rehearsal and conducting of services. The Wren chapel provides an ideal space for performing early and modern repertories and boasts a much acclaimed reconstruction of the instrument that was installed in 1708 - click here for further information. A highly prized chamber organ commissioned from leading maker Bernard Aubertin is the most recent adornment to the musical life of the chapel.

The choir sings a challenging and varied repertory of music in an average of two services per week. Sunday evensong follows the traditional Anglican pattern of worship. During the week, the choir sings a range of services, including Masses for major feasts and a twice-termly Compline.

The choir tours twice a year. The shorter tour (known as the Nasr tour) takes the form of a residency at a British Cathedral; recent residencies have included Truro and Ripon Cathedrals. The longer tour, which takes place in summer, ventures further afield, including in the past few years Munich, Florence, Rome, Copenhagen and Gothenburg. For an account of the most recent tour to Hong Kong and Singapore can be found here

The choir has undertaken several recordings, including most recently a sequence of Christmas music with Priory Records. The organ scholars of 2008/9 (Gregory Drott and Peter Yarde Martin) have also recorded and edited their own CD featuring the two organs in chapel. The choir has recorded for the BBC and is perhaps the only Cambridge choir to have worked with Rick Wakeman.

Places in the choir are available by audition and provide support for singing lessons throughout the year. Further details about music in chapel can be found here.