The Choir > Lay Clerks
A concert in France, 2010
Lay clerks are professional singers. There are six in New College Choir, two altos, two tenors and two basses. Their place in the institution goes back many years; indeed they are the successors of the clerks appointed to sing in the Choir in the late 14th century. These days they are what you might call the backbone of the Choir: singers who by their experience and vocal maturity support the work of the choral scholars, and who give the ensemble a sense of continuity and many of its values. They act as mentors for the new choral scholars, and a source of advice for all sorts of information about the whys and wherefores of singing at New College. At the same time, lay clerks benefit from the special learning experience of being in New College Choir, with its demanding repertory, innovative projects, and constant search for high standards in an environment encouraging reflection and self-evaluation.
Current lay clerks, whose other professional work is largely in the teaching and freelance sector, bring a wide experience to their role in the Choir, including that of providing singing tuition at leading private schools. Occasionally a lay-clerkship fits well with a higher degree course in Oxford: two recent lay clerks have been on DPhil programmes, and one of these singers is now director of music at a US cathedral. Other lay clerks have moved on to careers in consort singing, oratorio and opera.
Current lay clerks, whose other professional work is largely in the teaching and freelance sector, bring a wide experience to their role in the Choir, including that of providing singing tuition at leading private schools. Occasionally a lay-clerkship fits well with a higher degree course in Oxford: two recent lay clerks have been on DPhil programmes, and one of these singers is now director of music at a US cathedral. Other lay clerks have moved on to careers in consort singing, oratorio and opera.
Vacancies:
Please contact the director, Edward Higginbottom
Please contact the director, Edward Higginbottom
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