Oxford Scholars, from left: Henry Kimber, Michael Ash, Anthony Chater, Edward Woodhouse, Alexander Dance, Edmund Bridges Photo: Supplied
The Oxford Scholars are back in Christchurch for the 19th year this month.
The Oxfords are six young professional singers from the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford - Henry Kimber (countertenor), Michael Ash (countertenor), Edward Woodhouse (tenor), Edmund Bridges (tenor), Alexander Dance (baritone), Anthony Chater (bass).
The six singers are based at the Christchurch school that shares their name: Christ's College. Henry Kimber says the idea behind the project is to work with the boys of Christ’s College and bring some of the weight of the tradition from the English cathedral system here.
Edward Woodhouse says they also help the boys gain a deeper understanding of the music the college’s choirs sing. He says the tradition of men’s choirs is quite unique to England and it’s wonderful to see that skill being developed here.
The Oxford Scholars sang a cappella versions of Ne Irascaris Domine by William Byrd and countertenor Michael Ash’s arrangement of Higher than a Hawk by Howard Keel.
You can hear the singers perform every Thursday lunchtime this month at Christ’s College Chapel and also at two evening recitals: one in the Transitional Cathedral on Saturday 13th August from 6pm August and one in Christ's College Chapel on the 20th where they will do a combined choirs performance with the Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum.
