St Mary's Choir, Nottingham, UK

Biography

Under the leadership of John Keys, the Choir of St Mary's Church is recognised as one of the region's finest. Renowned for its versatility and wide repertoire it performs music from plainsong through to world premieres. As well as performing music for liturgical use, the choir regularly undertakes large scale works which recently have included the Bach passions and Verdi's Requiem.

The choir sings three times a week: at Wednesday Evensong, Sunday Eucharist and Sunday Evensong. In 2002 a choral scholarship scheme was launched and has succeeded in attracting some of the most promising young singers from both Nottingham universities.

Regular concert performances feature St Mary’s resident orchestra, The Orchestra of the Restoration. Recent concert works include Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Monteverdi's Vespers with The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, Biber's Missa Salisburgensis, Mozart's Requiem and Great Mass in C Minor, Verdi's Requiem, Rutter's Requiem, Bach's St.Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and Mass in B minor.

Broadcasts include Sunday Half-Hour and In Praise of God for BBC World Service, Radio 4's The Daily Service and Sunday Worship, BBC Radio Nottingham's Annual Carol Service and BBC 1's Songs of Praise.

Overseas the choir has performed in France, Belgium, Germany and Italy.