ECS is a choir made up of singers from RSCM-affiliated choirs in Europe. Depending on the occasion, the choir has around 35 members – mainly from the Benelux area.
The main focus of ECS activity is a week of Cathedral singing – typically in the first full weeks of August, during which all choral services are sung. This normally includes choral Evensong daily, two or three services on Sunday and any other special services as directed by the cathedral..
ECS often travels in Spring for shorter Cathedral visits – in recent years Malta, Manchester, Coventry and Florence.
In 2018 we held a Singing Weekend, a week singing at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, and a trip to support The 100 year anniversary of the end of the first world war, when we were privileged to sing in the at Notre Dame in Paris.
in 2019 we sang at Ripon Cathedral, and after a long break due to the COVID pandemic in 2022 we returned to Portsmouth Cathedral.
We also provide choral support for some special services in the Archdeaconry of NW Europe [eg ordinations], and occasionally give concerts.
The choir has a shifting formation with a core of regular participants so new singers with the appropriate voices and skills are welcome. In line with other Cathedral singers groups in the UK, it is expected that our members will have attained, or be at a level of ability equivalent to, the RSCM Silver Award. Where an applicant does not yet have such a qualification, a voice and music test may be required.
We are a varied group in ages and nationalities and the language of the choir is English. If you are interested in joining the ECS, please contact Martin van Bleek using the form below:
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