The Choir of New College, Oxford maintains one of England’s longest continuous choral traditions, reaching back unbroken to the closing decades of the fourteenth century, and ranks among the nation’s most esteemed vocal ensembles. International visibility grew markedly during the closing years of the twentieth century and the opening decades of the twenty-first through extensive touring and an expanding discography.
Founded in 1379, the Oxford college has borne its present name for more than six centuries. From the moment its chapel was completed shortly after the institution’s establishment, choral singing formed an integral part of daily worship within that building. Sixteen boy choristers continue to receive their schooling at New College School, where they acquire exceptional sight-reading facility, including the capacity to read directly from Renaissance partbooks. Their principal duty remains the performance of daily choral Evensong together with additional liturgical services throughout the university term.
The adult section comprises fourteen clerks, eight of whom currently hold undergraduate status at the university and are styled academical clerks, while the remaining six are professional lay clerks drawn from the city. This division, first documented in the 1380s, later served as the model for collegiate choirs throughout England. Among musicians who have sung in the choir as either choristers or clerks are countertenor James Bowman, tenor James Gilchrist, and conductor Jeremy Summerly.
An early compact-disc release, William Byrd: Cantiones Sacrae (1589), appeared on the CRD label in 1983. Documentation of the college’s successive directors of music extends to 1597. In recent times David Lumsden (1958-1976) initiated the ensemble’s touring program, while Edward Higginbottom (1976-2014) elevated the boys’ technical standards and developed an extensive recording schedule. Robert Quinney presently holds the post of director of music and organist, supported by singing teacher Bronwen Mills.
The choir has performed throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Its recorded output now exceeds one hundred releases on numerous labels, among them Novum, which issued many projects during the 2010s. In 2020 the ensemble transferred to Linn Records for John Sheppard: Media Vita. Following a period of suspended studio activity caused by the pandemic—during which video recordings continued—the group returned to Linn in 2023 with New College: Commissions & Premieres.
