View All Webcasts

Choir of New College Oxford

About Us

The Choir of New College, Oxford is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed choral groups of the UK.  When William of Wykeham founded his ‘New’ College in 1379, a choral foundation was at its heart, and daily chapel services have been a central part of college life ever since.  The Choir comprises sixteen boy choristers and fourteen adult clerks; the latter a mixture of professional singers and undergraduate members of the College.  The pattern set by New College Choir in the 1380s was later adopted by other foundations, and may be seen as the prototype for all choirs of its kind.  The boy choristers benefit not only from the matchless education provided by daily contact with superb music, or the satisfaction of performing at a professional level, but also from generous bursaries at New College School.

Beyond Oxford, New College Choir is often to be heard in concert around the world, and on broadcasts and recordings.  A wide range of music is represented in its discography; it was the first choral foundation to establish its own recording label, Novum, and has also recorded for CRD, Decca, Erato and Hyperion.  The choir has released a number of CDs since Robert Quinney’s arrival as director.  In summer 2016 John Blow: Symphony Anthems was Editor’s Choice for the September issue of Gramophone, and shortlisted for an award in the early music category.  In 2017 the choir released two CDs: The Gate of Heaven: Favourite Anthems from New College, including works by Matthew Martin and Rhian Samuel; and Like as the Hart, settings of Psalm 42, to accompany the novel The Templar’s Garden by Catherine Clover.  

During the Lockdown period of 2020, the choir produced a number of recordings with video, including of Bach's Letzte Stunde Brich Herein and Mendelssohn's Laudate pueri Dominum. 2020 also saw the release of the choir's most recent CD - Media Vita - featuring music by Sheppard.

To contribute to the future of New College Choir, consider becoming a 'Friend of New College Choir'.