The Girl Choristers of Merton College celebrate their 10 year anniversary

The Girl Choristers of Merton College marked a significant milestone on Sunday 5 July 2026, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the founding of the College's girls' choir with a special Celebration Evensong and garden party.

The anniversary commemorated ten years since Merton College became the first college at the University of Oxford to admit girls into its Choral Foundation, a landmark decision that has helped shape a generation of young musicians while enriching the College's renowned choral tradition.

The celebrations began with a joyful Evensong in Merton College Chapel, bringing together current choristers, alumni, families, and members of the College community, as well as inviting back graduated choristers to join the current choristers to sing John Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The service gave thanks for the achievements of the choir over the past decade and reflected on the many friendships, musical experiences, and opportunities it has created.

Since its foundation in 2016, the choir has grown into an integral part of Merton's musical life. Today, the 24 girl choristers attend schools across Oxford and the surrounding area, singing services in Chapel twice a week during term. Alongside their regular liturgical commitments, the choristers perform in concerts throughout the year, take part in the College's Passiontide at Merton festival, and undertake summer tours, this year visiting Leipzig and Berlin.

Following the service, guests gathered in the College gardens for an anniversary party, where past and present choristers reunited to share memories and celebrate the choir's remarkable first ten years. A highlight of the afternoon was the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake by one of the choir's youngest members, who fittingly celebrated her own tenth birthday this year — the same age as the choir itself.

The occasion celebrated not only a decade of outstanding music-making but also the vision that established the choir in 2016. Over the past ten years, girls have benefited from the exceptional musical education, performance opportunities, and sense of community offered through Merton's Choral Foundation, ensuring that the choir has become a valued and enduring part of the College's musical heritage.

As the Girl Choristers begin their second decade, the anniversary served as both a celebration of their achievements so far and an exciting look ahead to many more years of inspiring music at Merton College.