Cambridge University Schola Cantorum offers an exceptionally high-quality, committed musical experience for listeners and performers alike.

In its previous incarnation as St John's Voices, the choir developed into one of the most exciting and innovative ensembles in the UK. From an engagement on social media that numbered in the millions to broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, critically-acclaimed albums on the Naxos label and concerts and tours around the UK and beyond, St John’s Voices was widely known for its joyful and communicative performances.

After the closure of SJV, the choir’s members and director were determined to continue their work together, and, thanks to the generosity of one donor in particular, Cambridge Schola was born.

With a rehearsal base at Emmanuel College, Cambridge Schola performs weekly services of candlelit Compline or Vespers in a different chapel or church each Monday; alongside these services the choir performs concerts each term in Cambridge and beyond as well as undertaking a variety of other activities.

Cambridge Schola is passionate about sharing its love of choral music with as wide an audience as possible, and is thrilled to be beginning an exciting new project, kindly supported by Deloitte LLP, which will see our choir members going weekly into local schools to help with choir provision. We also have an active connection with the Steel City Choristers, a remarkable organisation which emerged from the closure of Sheffield Cathedral Choir. As part of a further project, still under development, Schola members will regularly visit the wards and laboratories of Addenbrookes Hospital, as well as performing services in the hospital chapel. In due course we hope to be able to begin a children's choir in the new Children's Hospital.  

Cambridge Schola has become known for their particular interest in the Russian and Slavic schools of church music, and has recorded two CDs of Russian music. Whilst the age-old traditions of choral singing form the foundation of the choir’s work, the choir is actively engaged in the development of new repertoire, working with emerging and established composers and offering a yearly Carol Competition. We are in the process of developing a formal arrangement with one of the world's most prestigious music publishers for a Cambridge Schola Imprint, which will see some of our commissions and Slavic repertoire being issued. 
 

In performance with the BBC Singers at Ely Cathedral. Photo Nora Rechel