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Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers

Find out how you can join Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers

Founded in 1997, Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers consists of around twenty-four adult volunteer singers. When the Cathedral Choir is not available, the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers steps in to provide music for the service.

What does the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers do?

Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers is the Cathedral’s auditioned voluntary choir and sings at times when the Cathedral Choir is not available, around four services per University term. This includes services for major feast days such as the Requiem Eucharist on All Souls’ Day.

In addition to their services, the Consort has also taken part in broadcasts, recorded a CD and appears regularly as part of the Cathedral’s concert calendar, both on its own and with the Cathedral Choir.

Past performances have included a concert with James Bowman in 2008, at Sage Gateshead in 2009, at Alwinton Church, Northumberland in 2014, and with the Cathedral Choir and musicians from Durham University in a concert marking the centenary of the death of the composer Hubert Parry in 2018.

The repertoire the Consort sings ranges from the early music of Praetorius to recently composed works by living composers such as Judith Bingham.


Who leads the Consort?

The Consort is led by Simon Lee, who holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Yale University and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music where he studied under the tutelage of Marguerite L. Brooks, Jeffrey Douma and David Hill. In 2017, he was a semifinalist in the American Choral Directors’ Association’s national Graduate Conducting Competition. After his graduation from Yale, Simon returned to Durham to rejoin the Cathedral Choir and is concurrently pursuing a career as a choral conductor and tenor soloist.

When are rehersals?

The Consort rehearses on Friday evenings from 6.30-7.30pm, as well as immediately before services they sing. These take place during University terms, which make it an ideal choir for students, as well as members of the local community.

Who can apply?

We currently have vacancies for tenors and basses, and are especially keen to hear from tenors. Enquiries from sopranos and altos (countertenors or contraltos) are also warmly received, although there are waiting lists for places in these parts due to high demand. We are looking for new members who have experience singing in choirs, with strong sight-reading skills and a good range and tone.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in auditioning for Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers, please email Simon Lee to arrange a date.