2024 marks the centenary of the death of the great choral composer Charles Villiers Stanford. The RSCM has embarked on a year long celebration of his work, combining new editions and publications, promoting some of his lesser known works and supporting choirs in putting on their own special services and events.

We are pleased to announce as a central feature the Stanford Singing Break, a unique opportunity to sing some of Stanford’s best known (and lesser known) works in glorious Cambridge surroundings. Stanford was organ scholar at Queens’ College, whose chapel will be our base. Later, he was organist of Trinity College, and we will sing in the chapel as part of the course. There will be services of Evensong and Mass, and a concert, including the opportunity to sing the glorious Stanford in A Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis with orchestra.

The RSCM holds a number of Stanford manuscripts, and there will be an exclusive session for members of the course to view them, along with an informative lecture on the life and works of the composer given by Stanford expert Jeremy Dibble on the Saturday evening.  On the Friday evening there will be a special, illustrated organ recital featuring Stanford organ works.

Who is this course for?

The course is suited to experienced, adult choral singers with good music-reading ability. It is expected that singers will have done some preparation of the materials in advance; interactive learning resources will be available through the RSCM Choral Coach app. A full set of music in a presentation, commemorative folder will be available to all participants. The course is only open to over 18’s.

To find out more about the Singing Break click HERE 

You can find more Stanford products HERE