Auditions open for college's new Girls’ Choir
The college is establishing a Girls' Choir – enabling girls from the city and the surrounding area to take part in our musical tradition. The Merton College Girls' Choir will be open to girls who, in September 2016, will be in school years 5 to 10. Auditions are being held in April and May, and the choir will begin performing in October.
Girls selected for the choir will have the opportunity to sing in our iconic 13th-century chapel, renowned for its wonderful acoustic. They will also have the chance to take part in services and concerts in Oxford and further afield.
The Warden, Sir Martin Taylor, said:
"I am thrilled that we are enhancing our chapel music programme by setting up the Merton College Girls' Choir. This is an historic moment in our long history and provides a wonderful opportunity for girls to take part in the musical life of Merton College."
The Girls' Choir will be led by Benjamin Nicholas, our Director of Music since 2012, who has directed the highly-acclaimed Merton College Choir in recordings, tours and concerts. From 2000 until 2012 he directed the choir of men and boys at Tewkesbury Abbey, and was largely responsible for the founding of Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum.
Members of the Girls' Choir will be expected to rehearse twice a week, and to sing at evensong every Wednesday during the school term. There will be occasional extra commitments during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
Interested girls and their parents/guardians/carers are invited to an information evening on Tuesday 26 April, which begins at 6:15pm with Choral Evensong sung by Merton College Choir, followed by a reception. Auditions will be held on Saturday 21 May (and at other pre-arranged times during summer term as required).
