The choir

Nonsuch Singers is increasingly well known for its innovative programmes, high-quality singing and communicative performances. Under the direction of Graham Caldbeck, stylistic versatility has become a recognised hallmark of concerts and the choir’s repertoire encompasses a cappella and accompanied works from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir regularly performs with some of the UK’s leading instrumental ensembles and finest young vocal soloists.

Nonsuch Singers celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2002 with a sell-out performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor at St John’s, Smith Square, recommended as “Critic’s Choice” in The Times.

Other highlights of recent years have included Monteverdi’s Vespers with His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts at St Martin-in-the-Fields (again recommended as “Critic's Choice” in The Times); the televised world premiere of John Tavener’s Exhortation and Kohima in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall; a critically acclaimed concert of French Baroque works, edited by Lionel Sawkins, with an orchestra led by Catherine Mackintosh and soloists including Emma Kirkby; and the first complete modern performance of Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer’s opera, Zaïde, Reine de Grenade, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

Since the appointment in 1996 of Graham Caldbeck, concerts have frequently sought to make less familiar music accessible by exploring connections between established composers and lesser-known contemporary works. Challenging contemporary pieces have often shared a platform with music from the established repertoire. This distinctive approach to programming has been remarked upon by London’s Time Out (“the choir fascinatingly blends Renaissance with modern”) and Evening Standard.

2007, Nonsuch Singers’ 30th anniversary year, included English choral classics at St Martin-in-the-Fields; sacred music from five centuries at Southwark Cathedral; Rachmaninov’s Vespers at St John’s, Smith Square; and music by Monteverdi, Brahms and Gabriel Jackson at Christ Church, Spitalfields, for the Spitalfields Winter Festival.

Last year Nonsuch gave the world premieres of two new choral works – Wild Ways, a setting by Roxanna Panufnik of Zen poems for double choir and shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute) and The Land of Spices, an anthem by George Richford, commissioned by Choir & Organ magazine and performed at Ripon cathedral.

The 2008-9 season has included two concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields – one of American music and the other featuring Austrian and German choral classics – and a sell-out performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the period ensemble Canzona at Southwark Cathedral.

Further Nonsuch Singers events this season include a concert of Passiontide music, with contrasting settings of the Stabat Mater by Domenico Scarlatti and Knut Nystedt, at St Giles’, Cripplegate, on 28 March and a performance of works by Mozart and James MacMillan at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 17 July in celebration of MacMillan’s 50th birthday.

Nonsuch Singers currently consists of some forty members. Many have considerable experience of singing in university chamber and chapel choirs and all are united in their enthusiasm and commitment to perform the world's greatest choral music to a wide audience and to the highest standards. Nonsuch Singers became a registered charity in 2004.

Nonsuch singers is a registered charity. Registered charity no.1105880.