Merton College Girl Choristers
Girl Choristers were first admitted into the Choral Foundation at Merton College, Oxford in 2016. The 24 choristers, who attend twelve schools across Oxford and beyond, rehearse at Merton on Mondays and Wednesdays during school term-time, receiving specialist musical training from the College’s professional musicians. They sing Choral Vespers each Monday and Choral Evensong each Wednesday in Merton’s historic Chapel, joined on Wednesdays by six professional adult singers who sing the lower parts.
The choristers regularly perform with the renowned Merton College Choir in larger-scale works, including Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Gabriel Jackson’s Christmas Oratorio, the latter recording named a Gramophone “Editor’s Choice”. They have appeared with the Philharmonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and have broadcast on BBC Radio 3 with Merton College Choir and the Britten Sinfonia. A recent highlight was their tour to Paris, which included a concert at the magnificent church of Saint-Sulpice. In addition, they take part in the College’s Passiontide at Merton festival, present concerts throughout the year, and tour in the summer.
Merton College Girl Choristers are associate members of the Choir Schools' Association, which represents schools attached to cathedrals, churches and college chapels in Great Britain and elsewhere. The Association supports and promotes choral music in the Christian tradition, promotes the values of choir school education, supports choir schools and their heads, and promotes singing locally, nationally and internationally.
Lizzie Casey is responsible for managing the Girl Choristers of Merton College. For further information please contact the Choir Manager on 01865 616724.