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THE OXFORD BACH CHOIR
Founded in 1896, the Oxford Bach Choir is the city’s premier large mixed-voice choir with around 200 voices. We all share a passionate commitment to sing the most exhilarating and challenging choral music to the highest standard — from the great works of J. S. Bach, and choral classics of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, to first performances of works by a new generation of exciting composers.
Our Principal Conductor is Nicholas Cleobury (conductor of the Britten Sinfonia) we engage professional orchestras for our performances every year. Our concerts also provide an inspirational platform for the talents of Britain’s most promising young solo vocalists.
Our main concerts arc held in the historic setting of the Sheldonian Theatre at the end of each university term in December, March and June. These evenings are festive occasions attracting a packed audience of around 800 people.
In addition to engaging professional soloists, the Oxford Bach Choir is the only large choir in Oxford regularly to engage professional orchestras. In recent years these have included the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonietta, the English Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra; we have also established a special relationship with the Britten Sinfonia, which has Nicholas Cleobury as its artistic director.
Friends of the Oxford Bach Choir If you would like to support the Oxford Bach Choir but not as a singing member, why not become a friend? Friends of the Choir enjoy the benefits of priority booking, post concert parties, annual music talks and open rehearsals, and a newsletter to keep you up to date with the choir's activities. For further information, please contact the Friends Secretary.
Social Life Despite our large size, we are a friendly choir. Parties are held after each concert, and, after Monday evening rehearsals, many of us regularly adjourn to one of the several pubs conveniently situated near the Sheldonian Theatre. We also arrange social events for fund-raising purposes, which, aside from bringing in money for choir funds, give members a better chance to get to know each other. Recent events have included an Auction of Promises, a wine-tasting evening, and a "gentle sports day".
Extra choir-icular activities The Oxford Bach Choir has participated with several exchanges with other choirs, orchestras and musical events in Europe.
