A wonderful group of 60 singers from across the UK gathered for the 2019 Sing the Cambridge Colleges, led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways, and Helen Chadwick, the renowned singer, song-writer and performance creator. We sang in four college chapels – Corpus Christi, Clare, Pembroke and St John’s – enjoying the beauty and acoustics of each of them.

Jane and Helen taught a rich variety of songs from a wide range of harmony singing traditions. Songs included the American classic Uncloudy Day, a glorious South African church chorus, a beautiful Kyrie by William Byrd, a stunning church song from Corsica, a vibrant American shape-note song, a rich Russian orthodox acclamation and original compositions by Jane and Helen.

Singers also enjoyed a private tour of the historic Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, a treasure trove of rare medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, and privileged access to the world-renowned Clare College Fellows’ Garden. We ended with a wonderful dinner and social evening at Clare College with entertainment provided by members of the group. Joceline Rennie co-ordinated the event and helped to ensure everything ran smoothly.

A wonderful weekend with some truly inspirational singing

A joy to sing in such wonderful spaces with delightful people

Inspirational teaching from Jane and Helen

The dates for the next Sing the Cambridge Colleges will be Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 April 2020. Please join our mailing list to ensure you receive details.

Jane Harris is an experienced choir leader, Director of Songways and an Old Member of Corpus Christi College. With her lively, clear and enabling teaching style, Jane brings out the best in singers’ voices, with open, resonant, heart-felt singing.

An exceptional choir leader with a wonderful choice of songs

Helen Chadwick is an accomplished singer, songwriter, composer, performance creator and recording artist, with a background in theatre. She writes unaccompanied songs for voices and creates solo and group performances with Helen Chadwick Song Theatre. She has led fun and enriching singing workshops for over thirty years and has received wonderful reviews for her a cappella albums and song theatre work. Helen has a strong connection to Cambridge and several of the colleges including St John’s.

To sing such powerful words, set to such beautiful music, with such a supportive group and generous, kind leadership was a heart-opening experience

Chadwick… an exquisite find – The Guardian

Joceline Rennie sings with two West Penwith choirs and dances with two Cornish dance groups. Her background is in event management, public relations and marketing and she runs her own on-line retail business.