Oxford Bach Choir is Oxford’s premier large mixed-voice choir, with around 160 members and a passionate commitment to sing exhilarating and challenging choral music to the highest standard. The range of music is diverse - from the great works of Bach and the classical repertoire to contemporary works by new generations of composers.
Oxford Bach Choir has always relished the mix of town and gown. Rehearsals and concerts are scheduled so that students, academics and professionals are all able to participate in the Choir's programmes – and, indeed, the Choir enjoys good relationships both with Oxford colleges and with businesses in the city. New members, drawn from throughout Oxfordshire, are always welcome at the start of every season.
Oxford Bach Choir gives at least four concerts every season at the end of each academic term, in December, March and June - festive occasions which attract audiences of around 800 people. For the main programmes in December and March the Choir is accompanied by top professional orchestras, such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Mozart Players and the Britten Sinfonia, and is privileged to sing under the inspiring conductorship of Nicholas Cleobury, who has a considerable reputation both at home and abroad as a particular champion of new music who has given over 100 premieres. In June and at Christmas the Choir performs under the energetic baton of its Associate Conductor, Timothy Byram-Wigfield, who is Director of Music at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and leads a varied career as organist, pianist and singer.
Read more about Oxford Bach Choir: Notable Members, Past Concerts
Famous quotes containing the words oxford, bach and/or choir:
“During the first formative centuries of its existence, Christianity was separated from and indeed antagonistic to the state, with which it only later became involved. From the lifetime of its founder, Islam was the state, and the identity of religion and government is indelibly stamped on the memories and awareness of the faithful from their own sacred writings, history, and experience.”
—Bernard Lewis, U.S. Middle Eastern specialist. Islam and the West, ch. 8, Oxford University Press (1993)
“Music is the effort we make to explain to ourselves how our brains work. We listen to Bach transfixed because this is listening to a human mind.”
—Lewis Thomas (b. 1913)
“O thou, with dewy locks, who lookest down
Through the clear windows of the morning; turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!”
—William Blake (1757–1827)