Chapel Choir

The choir is particularly proud of its welcoming atmosphere, combining musical excellence with a friendly, supportive environment. In keeping with this philosophy, no auditions are required and membership is voluntary.

Beyond singing, the choir has an active social calendar, including pizza evenings and black-tie dinners. A wine reception is held after each college Evensong on Sundays, followed by free formal dinner in hall for choir members.

The choir’s principal service is Choral Evensong at 6pm every Sunday. The choir also performs at various special services and events throughout the year. These include Christmas carol services, intercollegiate services, our annual Ascension Day service joint with Lincoln College Choir, and external events such as choir tours.

The choir rehearses every Thursday evening at 7pm. Choral scholars and exhibitioners receive expert tuition from Stephen Taylor.

Brasenose appoints up to eight choral scholars and four choral exhibitioners each year.

Scholars and exhibitioners sing in the Chapel Choir, acting as section leaders for their voice part, and provide ensembles or solos for concerts and other college events. They are also required to contribute to the wider musical life of the College by supporting or encouraging other college musicians and award holders.

Each scholar is offered up to four hours of tuition per term with a professional teacher and £150 per annum. Exhibitioners are offered £75 and two hours of tuition per term.

Cathedral visits are a regular part of the choir’s activities, and the college supports foreign tours. Recent tours have included trips to Belgium, where the choir performed at Sint-Annakerk, Bruges, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, and St. Martin’s Cathedral, Ypres. Other recent tours have taken the choir to Italy, where the choir sang Mass in three of Rome’s four Papal Basilicas, including St Peter’s Basilica, and Germany, performing in Köln and Altenberg Cathedrals.