Somerville College Choir, Oxford & Will Dawes
Biography Somerville College Choir, Oxford & Will Dawes
The Choir of Somerville College
is one of the finest mixed-voice choirs in Oxford. It is led by the Director of Chapel Music, Will Dawes, assisted by the Organ Scholars, and plays a central role in College life. The Choir sings for the Sunday evening Contemplation in the college chapel during term, gives regular concerts organised by Somerville Music Society and the Development Office, makes recordings, and tours, notably visiting India in December last year, and becoming the first choir from Oxford University to visit that country. They will visit Hong Kong and Singapore in the Summer of 2020.
Recent recordings have included the Duruflé Requiem with internationally acclaimed soloists and a disc for Advent. The choir performs the St John Passion (J. S. Bach) in March every other year, and will next perform this in 2020. The Choir’s membership comprises Choral Scholars from Somerville, and Choral Exhibitioners (as well as other auditioned singers) from the University community, and several Organ Scholars.
When Somerville opened its doors in 1879 it was founded as a 'non-denominational' institution, meaning there would be no religious tests for admission. Non-denominational Christian prayers were said informally in College from the outset, and from 1912 in the Dining Hall. In 1935 the chapel was opened, following a generous donation from a former student, Emily Georgiana Kemp. Kemp was an adventurer, writer and artist, and came from a wealthy Baptist family. Through her extensive travels she had developed an interest in the world's religions and a wide, inclusive vision of Christianity. It was her intention that the Chapel, although ostensibly a Christian place of worship, would be a welcoming space for members of all religious and secular traditions. The Greek inscription above the main door may be translated as “A House of Prayer for All Peoples” - a verse from the Book of Isaiah, which is also referred to by Jesus in Matthew's Gospel. In keeping with its non-denominational tradition, the College does not have a chaplain, but a 'Chapel Director,' who, along with the Organ Scholars, Choral Scholars and Director of Music, arranges events and services throughout the year designed to reflect Somerville's own characteristically broad range of religious tastes and perspectives.
In recent years we have moved away from using the Chapel solely as a place for worship and re-modelled it as a space for visiting scholars, commentators and faith leaders to share reflections on a range of social, political, theological, historical and philosophical subjects. Each term a selection of speakers present on a common topic on Sunday evenings as detailed in this termcard. The topic of these talks varies from term to term and where possible we try to include a wide range of religious and non-religious perspectives. After the talk and accompanying music the speaker will usually join us for dinner in hall, which presents an opportunity for follow-up questions and discussions – do consider staying for dinner and taking part in the conversation. Choral Contemplation is also open to members of other colleges and to the general public.
Will Dawes
is a Choral Director and baritone and is Director of Chapel Music at Somerville College and Director of Music at the church of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford. He has directed the BBC Singers and the Eric Whitacre Singers as well as workshop days for Stile Antico and almost all the Early Music Forums in the UK. For 16 years, he was a member of Stile Antico and has also sung with some of the foremost choral ensembles in the UK including The Sixteen, The Cardinall's Musick, Ora, Magnificat, Gabrieli Consort, Polyphony, and London Voices. His work has taken him across the globe, including to Auckland, Shenzhen, New York, and Jerusalem.
He was the founding Director of Music of Frideswide Voices, the first choir to offer 7-13 year old girls the opportunity to sing in regular liturgical events in Oxford College Chapels. The choir is now the girl’s choir of Christ Church Cathedral.
He is always happy to hear from singers interested in applying for choral awards at Somerville or Oxford in general.
