Beginnings

newChoir was born in 2012. Four friends were sitting in a pub, and one suggested starting a choir. It seemed a good idea at the time.

As it turned out, it was. But why start a choir in Oxford, which had at least 70 choirs already? Was there any need for yet another?

Our idea was ... something a bit different. Neither a choral society nor a chamber choir, but something in between. An auditioned ensemble that aimed for high musical standards, and pushed singers' boundaries - but was not forbidding.

Also, we wanted to tackle unusual repertoire, as well as the well-known works. So, pushing boundaries in that way too.

It was a bit like a business startup - but, if there was ever a business plan, it was on the back of an envelope, now lost.

We were fortunate that Janet Lincé, our distinguished musical director, was willing to come on board. And that James Brown, organist at at the University Church and a superb musician, was too.

To our surprise (given our home-made marketing) there was a surge of interest. A room full of people at our first rehearsal. Suddenly, a pub conversation had become a possible reality!

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