Stay in TouchThe Arcadian Singers has a rich history of performing in Oxford. Many of our former members have gone on to become distinguished singers and conductors.
By building up a relationship with our alumni, we hope to be able to create more opportunities for singers to come back and perform with the choir as soloists, and to add to the group of alumni that already join us for our yearly residency at Ampleforth Abbey. |
The Arcadian Singers c.1986
Support Us
We are looking towards our alumni to help ensure that the fantastic opportunities they enjoyed can continue to benefit current students and young singers for many years to come. As former members of the choir, we are sure you will recognise the difficulties of sustaining such an organisation. We are therefore extremely grateful for any donations you might be able to give, big or small. Click below to make a one-off donation. If you would like to make a regular contribution, please take a look at our Friendship Scheme. Many thanks. |
Alumni profiles
tom kennedy (BARITONE 1994-6)
|
"I matriculated in ‘94 reading Maths and Philosophy at New College. My first concert with the Arcadians was the War Requiem which was quite a step up in scale and difficulty from anything I’d sung before but Paul Kildea was quite inspirational and we were much helped by some extraordinarily fluent repping by Matt Wall on the piano. I sang with the Arcadians for the next couple of years before illness created a vacancy in my year for a choral scholar at New College and once I’d taken that up there was little time to sing outside of chapel. I absolutely credit the experiences gained with the Arcadians for giving me that opportunity as I certainly didn’t have the requisite skills when I came up to Oxford.
I stayed on at Oxford for a PGCE and then worked as a classroom maths teacher for a number of years before taking a career sidestep and doing a post grad at the Guildhall. Since then I have worked mostly in opera (lots of extra chorus at ENO/WNO, occasional visits back to Oxford for the NCO summer opera) but have kept a foot in the door of the choral world. I sing in the quartet at St Giles Cripplegate and do occasional work for Britten Sinfonia Voices, Philharmonia Voices among others." |
|
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
1994-6
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Easter at Ampleforth, Britten War Requiem, Paul Kildea’s parties
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
Difficult to choose: Howells Requiem and Bruckner mass in E min strong candidates, but the Britten War Requiem was unforgettable. Interestingly, very few of the major works I sang with the Arcadians have I sung regularly or at all in subsequent twenty-five years of amateur, semi-pro and now professional choral work.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Watch the conductor!
1994-6
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Easter at Ampleforth, Britten War Requiem, Paul Kildea’s parties
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
Difficult to choose: Howells Requiem and Bruckner mass in E min strong candidates, but the Britten War Requiem was unforgettable. Interestingly, very few of the major works I sang with the Arcadians have I sung regularly or at all in subsequent twenty-five years of amateur, semi-pro and now professional choral work.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Watch the conductor!
Peter Gilliver (TENOR 1989-99)
Peter has been working as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary for over thirty years.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
I sang with the Arcadian Singers for about a decade from about 1989, under more conductors than I can remember but certainly including Simon Lawford, Simon Whalley, Stephen Maxson, Judy Martin, Mark Hindley, Stefan Reid, Paul Kildea, and Chris Watson.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
I have many fond memories. Probably the most memorable musical occasion was a rather untypical one for the Arcadians: the performance of the War Requiem in Christ Church under Paul Kildea. But I remember it as a happy choir, having fun putting on concerts of wonderful music. The trip to Ampleforth (I only went on the one, possibly the first or second time it happened) was also lovely, and also memorable. Perhaps this provided my most vivid memories. There was the performance of the Passion story, with Brother Cyprian (one of the monks), bard-like with his small harp and his fine baritone voice—and the opportunity it gave me to stand up in front of a large number of devout Catholics and declaim (as Peter) ‘I know not Christ’; and then there was the great theatrical event that was midnight on Easter Day, when the abbey organ pealed forth on its loudest stops (Messiaen or something comparably splashy) accompanied by two monks each with their own tubular bells going completely apeshit.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
I don't have a favourite piece. Many pieces I sang for the first time with the Arcadians have become favourites, like Britten's A Boy Was Born and Handel's Dixit Dominus; there are also pieces that I've always wanted to sing again but haven't had a chance to (yet!), like Jean Berger's Brazilian Psalm and Mathias's Shakespeare Songs.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
The only advice I can think of to offer current and prospective choir members is: sing as much as possible, with as wide a range of people, in as wide a range of kinds of choir as you can. Every kind of choir, and every group of singers, has something about them.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
I sang with the Arcadian Singers for about a decade from about 1989, under more conductors than I can remember but certainly including Simon Lawford, Simon Whalley, Stephen Maxson, Judy Martin, Mark Hindley, Stefan Reid, Paul Kildea, and Chris Watson.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
I have many fond memories. Probably the most memorable musical occasion was a rather untypical one for the Arcadians: the performance of the War Requiem in Christ Church under Paul Kildea. But I remember it as a happy choir, having fun putting on concerts of wonderful music. The trip to Ampleforth (I only went on the one, possibly the first or second time it happened) was also lovely, and also memorable. Perhaps this provided my most vivid memories. There was the performance of the Passion story, with Brother Cyprian (one of the monks), bard-like with his small harp and his fine baritone voice—and the opportunity it gave me to stand up in front of a large number of devout Catholics and declaim (as Peter) ‘I know not Christ’; and then there was the great theatrical event that was midnight on Easter Day, when the abbey organ pealed forth on its loudest stops (Messiaen or something comparably splashy) accompanied by two monks each with their own tubular bells going completely apeshit.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
I don't have a favourite piece. Many pieces I sang for the first time with the Arcadians have become favourites, like Britten's A Boy Was Born and Handel's Dixit Dominus; there are also pieces that I've always wanted to sing again but haven't had a chance to (yet!), like Jean Berger's Brazilian Psalm and Mathias's Shakespeare Songs.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
The only advice I can think of to offer current and prospective choir members is: sing as much as possible, with as wide a range of people, in as wide a range of kinds of choir as you can. Every kind of choir, and every group of singers, has something about them.
TOMOS WATKINS (CONDUCTOR 2015-16)
Tomos conducted the choir in 2015-16.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
There are so many that could qualify! The Arcadians are a really warm-hearted choir, and I enjoyed so many things about my time as part of the choir. The Triduum at Ampleforth was all too short, and there were so many great evenings at the pub after rehearsals. We also hosted the 40th anniversary concert during my tenure, which was by turns fantastically enjoyable music-making and a little frantic. The Howells Requiem on 45 minutes' rehearsal is not an experience I'm massively keen to repeat, though the performance was very fresh.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
In the face of strong competition, it has to be The Reluctant Dragon by John Rutter.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
'There's no such thing as a wrong note' became a motto during my time...
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
There are so many that could qualify! The Arcadians are a really warm-hearted choir, and I enjoyed so many things about my time as part of the choir. The Triduum at Ampleforth was all too short, and there were so many great evenings at the pub after rehearsals. We also hosted the 40th anniversary concert during my tenure, which was by turns fantastically enjoyable music-making and a little frantic. The Howells Requiem on 45 minutes' rehearsal is not an experience I'm massively keen to repeat, though the performance was very fresh.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
In the face of strong competition, it has to be The Reluctant Dragon by John Rutter.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
'There's no such thing as a wrong note' became a motto during my time...
DIANA LITTLE (SOPRANO 2018-9)
Diana received her MSt in English (1700-1830) from Jesus College, Oxford in July 2019. She has just completed the first year of her PhD in English at Princeton University, and now sings with the Princeton University Glee Club.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
I sang with the Arcadian Singers from Michaelmas 2018 - Trinity 2019.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
My fondest memory is probably the first time we rehearsed in the Exeter chapel for our Michaelmas concert. It was so beautiful, and it was also the first time I had been in there so it felt extra magical!
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
My favourite piece was Gjeilo's "Pulchra Es"/"Northern Lights".
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
My advice would be to see each rehearsal and chance to sing as the amazing stress relief that it is! Even though choir schedules can be demanding, enjoy the three hours per week where you don't have to think about anything except singing beautiful music.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
I sang with the Arcadian Singers from Michaelmas 2018 - Trinity 2019.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
My fondest memory is probably the first time we rehearsed in the Exeter chapel for our Michaelmas concert. It was so beautiful, and it was also the first time I had been in there so it felt extra magical!
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
My favourite piece was Gjeilo's "Pulchra Es"/"Northern Lights".
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
My advice would be to see each rehearsal and chance to sing as the amazing stress relief that it is! Even though choir schedules can be demanding, enjoy the three hours per week where you don't have to think about anything except singing beautiful music.
ALEXANDER CAMPKIN (CONDUCTOR 2006-8)
|
Alexander Campkin (b. 1984) studied at Oxford University, the Royal Academy of Music and Vienna. His music, described as 'fresh and attractive' by Gramophone magazine, has been performed at the Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Tokyo Opera City Hall. He was commissioned by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for the 2018 BBC Proms. Other commissioners of his work include the Royal Opera House, Tallis Scholars, London Mozart Players and the Vokalkapelle der Theatinerkirche Munich.
Alexander conducted the Arcadian Singers from 2006 - 2008. |
|
How has conducting the Arcadians influenced your career?
Conducting choirs has always helped nurture my love of choral singing. The Arcadians were a great privilege to conduct! I enjoyed doing concerts in many of Oxford's beautiful chapels, and got to explore a very wide range of repertory.
I also was inspired to write a short piece for the Arcadians a week before one of our concerts titled Méditation, which set a text by Baudelaire. I recently rewrote this to a new text 'O Lord, in thee is all my trust' which won a competition at Greyfriary Kirk and has just been recorded to a CD of my music by vOx Chamber Choir of Oxford.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Conducting three visits to Ampleforth
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Make the most of all the opportunities of singing with the choir. And WATCH THE CONDUCTOR :)
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
Allegri's Miserere. When the Tallis Scholars later commissioned me to write them a Miserere influenced by the Allegri, I already knew the original very well. The Tallis Scholars have gone on to perform this about 50 times around the world and broadcast it a few times.
Conducting choirs has always helped nurture my love of choral singing. The Arcadians were a great privilege to conduct! I enjoyed doing concerts in many of Oxford's beautiful chapels, and got to explore a very wide range of repertory.
I also was inspired to write a short piece for the Arcadians a week before one of our concerts titled Méditation, which set a text by Baudelaire. I recently rewrote this to a new text 'O Lord, in thee is all my trust' which won a competition at Greyfriary Kirk and has just been recorded to a CD of my music by vOx Chamber Choir of Oxford.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Conducting three visits to Ampleforth
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Make the most of all the opportunities of singing with the choir. And WATCH THE CONDUCTOR :)
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
Allegri's Miserere. When the Tallis Scholars later commissioned me to write them a Miserere influenced by the Allegri, I already knew the original very well. The Tallis Scholars have gone on to perform this about 50 times around the world and broadcast it a few times.
HENRY AND JANE WICKENS (CO-FOUNDERS)
The choir's co-founder Henry Wickens writes:
I have a confession to make: the Arcadian Singers is at least partly my fault. ;) We founded the choir in Michaelmas Term of 1976. By "we" I mean my wife Jane (then Jane Armstrong of St Hughs), Mr John Mackinnon FRCS (then of Teddy Hall) and myself (then of Magdalen). However, the prehistory of the Arcadians reaches back into the early 1970s when John and I were in the Madrigal Choir at Henley Grammar School (Henley-on-Thames, that is). When we both found ourselves at Oxford in 1975, we wanted to start a choir of the same kind, which was of a reasonably high standard but also fun. Various existing choirs offered one of these but not both. In the long hot summer of 1976 we (then including Jane, whom I met in our first week!) did the paperwork and were able to launch the choir's official existence at the 1976 Freshers' Fair.
For the first year (1976-77), I conducted and the whole thing was fairly chaotic, though we did get some good singers together. In the choir's second year (1977-78), Jane and I, as Modern Languages undergraduates, both went to Germany for our Year Abroad. John kept the choir going administratively (I can't remember who conducted) and that year they recruited a promising music undergraduate called Philip Billson (now the BBC's Head of Religious Broadcasting) as the conductor for the following year.
In 1978-79 Jane and I did our Finals, and got married on 4 August 1979, with the Arcadians singing and Philip playing the organ. In the next few years we stayed in Oxford, as I was working for a DPhil, and so we stayed members of the choir until 1983, as did John, who as a medic was in for the long haul.
In 1980 and again in 1981 we took the choir for a singing week in the summer to Bangor Cathedral. The accompanying photos are, I think, from 1981. They were originally in colour but have appropriately faded to something approaching sepia.
I have a confession to make: the Arcadian Singers is at least partly my fault. ;) We founded the choir in Michaelmas Term of 1976. By "we" I mean my wife Jane (then Jane Armstrong of St Hughs), Mr John Mackinnon FRCS (then of Teddy Hall) and myself (then of Magdalen). However, the prehistory of the Arcadians reaches back into the early 1970s when John and I were in the Madrigal Choir at Henley Grammar School (Henley-on-Thames, that is). When we both found ourselves at Oxford in 1975, we wanted to start a choir of the same kind, which was of a reasonably high standard but also fun. Various existing choirs offered one of these but not both. In the long hot summer of 1976 we (then including Jane, whom I met in our first week!) did the paperwork and were able to launch the choir's official existence at the 1976 Freshers' Fair.
For the first year (1976-77), I conducted and the whole thing was fairly chaotic, though we did get some good singers together. In the choir's second year (1977-78), Jane and I, as Modern Languages undergraduates, both went to Germany for our Year Abroad. John kept the choir going administratively (I can't remember who conducted) and that year they recruited a promising music undergraduate called Philip Billson (now the BBC's Head of Religious Broadcasting) as the conductor for the following year.
In 1978-79 Jane and I did our Finals, and got married on 4 August 1979, with the Arcadians singing and Philip playing the organ. In the next few years we stayed in Oxford, as I was working for a DPhil, and so we stayed members of the choir until 1983, as did John, who as a medic was in for the long haul.
In 1980 and again in 1981 we took the choir for a singing week in the summer to Bangor Cathedral. The accompanying photos are, I think, from 1981. They were originally in colour but have appropriately faded to something approaching sepia.
Photo 1: Back row: Philip Billson, Iain Phillips, Iain Cooper, John Mackinnon,
2nd row: Andrew Stachulski, Henry Wickens, Gwilym Thomas, Richard Gowman, David Cater
Front row: Diana Seddon, Mandy ?, Sheila Findlayson, Emma Hall, ?, Liz Hancox
Quite a lot of the group were not regular Arcadians during the previous academic year. Jane and I were also in the choir of Jesus College, and recruited several Jesus singers to help us out on the tour.
2nd row: Andrew Stachulski, Henry Wickens, Gwilym Thomas, Richard Gowman, David Cater
Front row: Diana Seddon, Mandy ?, Sheila Findlayson, Emma Hall, ?, Liz Hancox
Quite a lot of the group were not regular Arcadians during the previous academic year. Jane and I were also in the choir of Jesus College, and recruited several Jesus singers to help us out on the tour.
Photo 2: John Mackinnon, myself and I am not sure who the lady is. We appear to be on the battlements of a castle which may be Caernarvon or Beaumaris.
In 1982-83 I went back to Germany for another study year, so I took the opportunity to arrange a concert tour there in the summer of 1983, including gigs in Münster (where I was studying) and Bonn (where we had a friend who had been a German Lektor the previous year in Oxford). By that time the conductor was Matthew Greenall, who later went on to found the Elysian Singers of London.
In 1982-83 I went back to Germany for another study year, so I took the opportunity to arrange a concert tour there in the summer of 1983, including gigs in Münster (where I was studying) and Bonn (where we had a friend who had been a German Lektor the previous year in Oxford). By that time the conductor was Matthew Greenall, who later went on to found the Elysian Singers of London.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
1976-1983 (with years off in the 1977-78 and 1982-83 academic years)
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Early morning at the Teddy Hall Ball in 1981 We had finished singing and were able to enjoy the rest of the entertainment for free.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
That is a tough one, as we learnt so many wonderful new pieces. I think probably the Vaughan Williams G minor Mass.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Get as much musical experience as you can: you will never have so much free time again! Oh and don't shoot the conductor: he is doing his best.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
1976-1983 (with years off in the 1977-78 and 1982-83 academic years)
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Early morning at the Teddy Hall Ball in 1981 We had finished singing and were able to enjoy the rest of the entertainment for free.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
That is a tough one, as we learnt so many wonderful new pieces. I think probably the Vaughan Williams G minor Mass.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Get as much musical experience as you can: you will never have so much free time again! Oh and don't shoot the conductor: he is doing his best.
KEITH THOMASSON (1988-91)
|
'I am sending a photo of a concert poster: A great concert of British Twentieth Century choral classics sung in the superb setting of Keble College Chapel. The poster was designed and drawn by Charles Hazlewood who sang alto for the concert. As you will know JFK was the dedicatee of Howells’ ‘Take him Earth for Cherishing’. The poster worked really well as people would ponder, ‘what is the connection?’ |
|
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
1988-1991. I was reading music at St Peter’s College.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
This is really difficult to decide. I have many good memories including a New Year trip to Oxfordshire in 1989 and a visit to Paris in 1990. Nevertheless, the singing visit to South and West Wales in the summer of 1989 is my fondest memory. Evensong at St David’s Cathedral, a post-concert evening party around a bonfire on the beach at Cardigan Bay, and a concert in Aberystwyth given to a handful of people. The music was fun, yet it was the contact with others that has really made it a treasured lifelong memory. The conductor was Steven Maxon.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
During my first term with the choir there was a change in conductor. The focus moved from J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass to a lighter programme with Britten’s Hymn to Saint Cecilia Op. 27 as the focal work. I had never sung any Britten before, heard any of his choral work, nor sung in such an amazing chamber choir. The whole experience was transformative. We performed the Britten at a lunchtime concert held in the Oakeshott Room at Lincoln College on a crisp winter’s day. The concert was beautifully sung by the choir, with outstanding soloists (I remember Rebecca Outram singing the soprano solo and Zoe Smith the alto solo). The conductor was Simon Whalley. He had a great affinity for Britten’s music.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Occasionally stop singing, listen, and be thankful. And then carry on singing for the rest of your life!
1988-1991. I was reading music at St Peter’s College.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
This is really difficult to decide. I have many good memories including a New Year trip to Oxfordshire in 1989 and a visit to Paris in 1990. Nevertheless, the singing visit to South and West Wales in the summer of 1989 is my fondest memory. Evensong at St David’s Cathedral, a post-concert evening party around a bonfire on the beach at Cardigan Bay, and a concert in Aberystwyth given to a handful of people. The music was fun, yet it was the contact with others that has really made it a treasured lifelong memory. The conductor was Steven Maxon.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
During my first term with the choir there was a change in conductor. The focus moved from J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass to a lighter programme with Britten’s Hymn to Saint Cecilia Op. 27 as the focal work. I had never sung any Britten before, heard any of his choral work, nor sung in such an amazing chamber choir. The whole experience was transformative. We performed the Britten at a lunchtime concert held in the Oakeshott Room at Lincoln College on a crisp winter’s day. The concert was beautifully sung by the choir, with outstanding soloists (I remember Rebecca Outram singing the soprano solo and Zoe Smith the alto solo). The conductor was Simon Whalley. He had a great affinity for Britten’s music.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Occasionally stop singing, listen, and be thankful. And then carry on singing for the rest of your life!
MIRANDA DAVIES (ALTO 2015-7)
|
I've just finished a Master's at Oxford studying Classical Archaeology and am looking to develop a career in the charity sector, with a focus on the environment. I have sung with St Peter's and Lincoln colleges, and am a trustee of Orchestra for the Earth.
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers? I sang with the Arcadian Singers from 2015 to 2017 (I think!). What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians? I have endless fond memories of singing with the Arcadians! The post-rehearsal pub trips were a highlight of my week, but my fondest memory is probably our surreal weekend at Ampleforth, featuring a midnight mass conducted by light-sabre, a several-mile nighttime hike to the nearest pub, and a monk with a glorious basso profundo. |
|
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
It’s a toss-up between Finzi’s Seven Partsongs and Barber’s Reincarnations, especially ’The Coolin’.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Enjoy it! And look at the music beforehand.
It’s a toss-up between Finzi’s Seven Partsongs and Barber’s Reincarnations, especially ’The Coolin’.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Enjoy it! And look at the music beforehand.
MATTHEW GREENALL (CONDuCTOR 1982-5)
I spent 20+ years running new music charities - first, British Music Information Centre, then Sound and Music. These days I'm Director of a music trust in Northern Ireland. Among the projects we promote is one of the UK's leading choir Festivals, the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
When did you conduct the Arcadian Singers?
I was conductor of the choir for three years, 1982-85. At that time, several of the Arcadian Singers' original members were still singing with the choir, including Henry Wickens, the group's founder.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
The summer tours. We travelled to Germany (1983), Paris/Strasbourg/Luxembourg/Utrecht (1984) and in 1985 Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Iona, Aberdeen). 1983 was the choir's first overseas trip, 1984 was somewhat chaotic if ambitious in scope, and by 1985 we were pretty experienced and well organised at the touring business. Concerts in a thunderstorm in Essen and a rainstorm on Iona linger in the memory!
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
This is cheating slightly, but Rachmaninov 'All-Night Vigil' (more commonly called Vespers), which was a joint performance by my then London choir, Elysian Singers, which contained many ex-Arcadians, and the then Arcadians in Oxford. This was 1987, we performed the work twice, once in Merton College Chapel and then in London, at the beautiful arts and crafts church in Sloane Street. A tricky piece for English choirs to get close to, but one of R's very best works.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
The friends you make in Arcadians can be friends for life - singing together builds that kind of durable bond. More than 30 years on, many of us from our years with Arcadians are still in touch and occasionally we get together to perform, most recently in Lancashire for the 60th birthday of one of our number. Take and keep photographs and old programmes and publicity - these will be your memories!
When did you conduct the Arcadian Singers?
I was conductor of the choir for three years, 1982-85. At that time, several of the Arcadian Singers' original members were still singing with the choir, including Henry Wickens, the group's founder.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
The summer tours. We travelled to Germany (1983), Paris/Strasbourg/Luxembourg/Utrecht (1984) and in 1985 Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Iona, Aberdeen). 1983 was the choir's first overseas trip, 1984 was somewhat chaotic if ambitious in scope, and by 1985 we were pretty experienced and well organised at the touring business. Concerts in a thunderstorm in Essen and a rainstorm on Iona linger in the memory!
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
This is cheating slightly, but Rachmaninov 'All-Night Vigil' (more commonly called Vespers), which was a joint performance by my then London choir, Elysian Singers, which contained many ex-Arcadians, and the then Arcadians in Oxford. This was 1987, we performed the work twice, once in Merton College Chapel and then in London, at the beautiful arts and crafts church in Sloane Street. A tricky piece for English choirs to get close to, but one of R's very best works.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
The friends you make in Arcadians can be friends for life - singing together builds that kind of durable bond. More than 30 years on, many of us from our years with Arcadians are still in touch and occasionally we get together to perform, most recently in Lancashire for the 60th birthday of one of our number. Take and keep photographs and old programmes and publicity - these will be your memories!
ROSIE PITT-WATSON (1982-5)
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers?
1982 – 1985, while up at St Anne’s reading Philosophy and Psychology. Matthew Greenall was conductor; and I remember Hetty Bewley as president and Clare Moriarty as treasurer. I don’t think I learned much about either Philosophy or Psychology, but I did learn just how much fun a choir could be.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Too many. But I suppose I would have to say the choir tour of Scotland – I took a big hand in organising it and we sang in my most favourite places in the country. Travelling around in minibus and Toby’s 2CV; wet boat trip in Iona; busking madrigals in the Glasgow Star Club at my sister’s instigation (the Star Club is a real down-to-earth Glasgow folk club, we were a bit of a novelty), singing at Haddo House where I spent a lot of time as a kid; concerts in Paisley Abbey, and St Machar’s and St Giles’ Cathedrals.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
I’m partly ducking this, and choosing The Oxford Book of English Madrigals. Before coming to Oxford I had never sung (or even heard of) madrigals, except possibly the Silver Swan. I was entranced. And we sang them all over Europe, busking for beer money in town squares as well as in concert venues.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Remember that singing is more than singing. Being part of the choir will give you immense gifts.Oh yes, and take photographs…did I mention the photographs?
These are photos from our Scottish Tour in 1985, plus one from the 1983 German tour.
1982 – 1985, while up at St Anne’s reading Philosophy and Psychology. Matthew Greenall was conductor; and I remember Hetty Bewley as president and Clare Moriarty as treasurer. I don’t think I learned much about either Philosophy or Psychology, but I did learn just how much fun a choir could be.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians?
Too many. But I suppose I would have to say the choir tour of Scotland – I took a big hand in organising it and we sang in my most favourite places in the country. Travelling around in minibus and Toby’s 2CV; wet boat trip in Iona; busking madrigals in the Glasgow Star Club at my sister’s instigation (the Star Club is a real down-to-earth Glasgow folk club, we were a bit of a novelty), singing at Haddo House where I spent a lot of time as a kid; concerts in Paisley Abbey, and St Machar’s and St Giles’ Cathedrals.
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians?
I’m partly ducking this, and choosing The Oxford Book of English Madrigals. Before coming to Oxford I had never sung (or even heard of) madrigals, except possibly the Silver Swan. I was entranced. And we sang them all over Europe, busking for beer money in town squares as well as in concert venues.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members?
Remember that singing is more than singing. Being part of the choir will give you immense gifts.Oh yes, and take photographs…did I mention the photographs?
These are photos from our Scottish Tour in 1985, plus one from the 1983 German tour.
Edinburgh Castle
Packing for the Scottish Tour
Iona Abbey
Haddo House
St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
Ferry, German Tour 1983
GARY DAVIS (1983-85)
"I went to Oxford for my DPhil, fell in love with choral music, and ended up joining the Arcadians. My wife Caroline and I remain in contact with many Arcadians from our era, despite moving to various places around the world. We are now retired and living in Cheshire."
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers? 1983 to 1985 I think. It’s difficult to remember for sure.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians? Touring Scotland in summer 1985. Kent weekend in January 1985 (including the coldest concert ever).
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians? Laudibus in Sanctis Dominum (Byrd) among many others.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members? Just enjoy it!
When did you sing with the Arcadian Singers? 1983 to 1985 I think. It’s difficult to remember for sure.
What is your fondest memory of your time with the Arcadians? Touring Scotland in summer 1985. Kent weekend in January 1985 (including the coldest concert ever).
What was your favourite piece which you performed with the Arcadians? Laudibus in Sanctis Dominum (Byrd) among many others.
Any words of advice to current and prospective choir members? Just enjoy it!
