THE Cambridge mixed choir St John’s Voices (SJV), which was disbanded by the College Council earlier this year to the dismay of its musicians, has been independently “reincarnated” as the Cambridge University Schola Cantorum.
The new mixed choir is being directed by Graham Walker, who is the Director Of Music at Emmanuel College and the former director of SJV (News, 28 March).
The choir, his idea, was established over the summer with help from its resident composer, Tim Watts, and a “wonderful” management team of staff and students, Mr Walker told the Church Times on Wednesday.
“We’ve been appointing talented and experienced singers from across the University and beyond, including several who have previously sung with King’s and St John’s College Choirs.”
A new website, launched last week with new social media channels, describes the Schola Cantorum as “emerging from the embers of its predecessor St John’s Voices” to offer “an exceptionally high-quality, committed musical experience for listeners and performers alike”.
St John’s Voices, which had sung evensong in St John’s College Chapel every Monday, was a mixed-voice choir from its inception in 2013 (unlike the College Choir which first admitted girls and women in 2022). The College Council’s decision to disband SJV earlier this year was met with an outcry from its members and others, who suggested that its closure would reverse strides towards gender equality (News, 22 March).
The Schola Cantorum website says: “In its previous incarnation as SJV, the choir developed into one of the most exciting and innovative ensembles in the UK. From an engagement on social media that numbered in the millions to broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, critically-acclaimed albums on the Naxos label and concerts and tours around the UK and beyond, St John’s Voices was widely known for its joyful and communicative performances.
“After the closure of SJV, the choir’s members and director were determined to continue their work together, and, thanks to the generosity of one donor in particular, CUSC was born.”
Start-up funding was provided by a Cambridge alumnus, Dr Supraj Rajagopalan, who is CEO of the private equity firm Cinven. Unlike SJV, the Schola does not receive any funding from the university or colleges, relying on donations from friends and supporters.
“The kindness of one individual enabled us to start the choir, and we are deeply grateful for that support,” the website says. “Moving forward, we have received generous pledges towards our endowment, but our target of £2 million (which will keep us running in perpetuity) is substantial.”
The Schola Cantorum began rehearsals at Emmanuel College this week, and plans to sing at weekly services of candlelit Compline in a different chapel or church each Monday, as well as concerts each term in and around Cambridge.
An inaugural candlelit compline is to take place on Monday at 9.15 p.m. in the University Church, Great St Mary’s.
Mr Walker said: “After a summer of intense activity, I was thrilled that our first rehearsals this week have been utterly wonderful. The choir is already sounding glorious, and the students are incredibly excited to be able to perform for the first time on the 14th at Great St Mary’s.
“With a busy schedule of services, culminating in a candlelit Carol Service for the University on 2 December, and then concerts and performances later in December, it really feels like we have started with energy and determination, and I’m enormously excited for the future.”
Discussions continued with potential partners, including Classic FM and the BBC, he said. A joint performance with the BBC Singers in June 2025 is confirmed, as are carols at St Mary-le-Bow and the Ritz, in London.