The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Christ Church Cathedral Choir was founded just under five hundred years ago, and continues to perform daily services throughout the year in the Cathedral.  The boy choristers attend Christ Church Cathedral School, attached to Christ Church, and about half the gentlemen of the choir are undergraduates at Oxford University.

The choir is now world-famous, touring regularly.  In the last couple of years, the choir has toured Japan, the USA (the Midwest, and Washington DC) and also performed to great acclaim in Freiberg and Antwerp. The choir also performs concerts throughout the year around Britain - last year’s schedule included St John’s Smith Square, the Spitalfields Festival, the Nimbus Concert Hall, Sion House, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Aldeburgh Britten Festival commemorating the 25th Annniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten.  The Choir also undertakes a prodigious broadcasting and recording schedule, including the recording and release of more than 10 CDs in the last two years.  The choir regularly features on TV, in series such as Channel 4’s ‘Howard Goodall’s Big Bangs’, and continues regular radio broadcasting of Choral Evensong and other key concerts and services.

Stephen Darlington has been Director of Music at Christ Church since 1985.  His career began at Christ Church as a student under Simon Preston from 1971-4.  After being Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral for four years, he became Master of The Music at St Alban’s Abbey at just 25 and subsequently Artistic Director of the world-famous Organ Festival.