English Cathedrals: a move away from a ranking

Who's mad idea was it to consider ranking all the Cathedrals in England? What a preposterous thought: this is a much better solution.


I think there could be room for a comparison of King's and John's Colleges, Cambridge and Christ Church and New Colleges, Oxford respectively or perhaps in some kind of mad four-way could be a task for the future. Also the comparison of cathedral gap year schemes is in progress (I have started it anyway) and will hopefully be published sometime, in reaction to which it will instantaneously go out of date.


Sorry for the recent lack of publication, I hope to improve.

English Cathedrals : a move towards ranking

This is not only a massive issue, but a massively difficult one; not only is it very difficult to have a current knowledge of musical standards in every cathedral across the land, but many aspects may differ in the eye of the beholder. For example some would see girl choristers as a bonus, and others as a point of detraction.

My own association with certain cathedrals also deeply twists my judgement, so I have decided (probably for the best) not to attempt to publish a ranked list of English cathedrals. One day, if the current surge of interest in choral music continues, there may be a 'Times Good Cathedral Guide' which we can refer to and which will be properly researched.

In the meantime I am working on, soon to be published:

• A list of cathedral cities which also have universities, and a numerically based list comparing the scholarship deal, quality of the university (as decided by Rupert Murdoch himself) and other factors.
• Lists of Oxford and Cambridge college choirs - there may well be ranking involved.
• Perhaps a list of cathedrals offering gap year places - I do not feel either the RSCM or Ralph's Eton CC website lists are exhaustive.

Very exciting - I'm sure you can't wait.

King's College, London vs Royal Holloway: Choral Smackdown

Which is better ,the chapel choir of King's College, London, or that of Royal Holloway? A much debated question - now the facts are laid bare and analysed.

In to allegorise this epic choral battle via the mottoes of these two reputable institutions it would seem King's are aiming to glorify God and learn a bit about singing and so forth along the way (Sancte et Sapienter - With Holiness and Wisdom), whereas Holloway are aiming to exist. (Esse quam videri - To be, rather than to seem)

Age and Origin

Well to start at the beginning, both institutions had chapels and chapel choirs included pretty much from their foundation, which makes KCL a little older at 1829, instead of 1886. However age does not imply quality, especially not when it comes to singing (perhaps it should be noted here that both choirs have singers of the same ages, and both have girls and altos of both genders, though they obviously prefer men...). Age is not relevant, and in fact size is not really relevant either but, RUHL consists of 24 scholars and KCL of 25 so no real difference there either.

Director

The director of music defines a choir and makes it what it is, so we shall now examine (in a reduced form) the careers respective masters of music.

David Trendell - King's: Was born (1964) - Norwich Cathedral - Exeter College, Oxford - Winchester College - University Church in Oxford - Director of the Edington Festival - King's (1992-present).

Rupert Gough - Holloway: was born (1971) - Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace - Purcell School - Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace - Rochester Cathedral - Norwich Cathedral - Wells Cathedral - Holloway (some time recent-ish-ly-present).
From this we can see several things: Gough is younger. They both went to Norwich for a bit. Tredell seems not to have gone to school and Gough seems not to have gone to university. Gough has been associated with two of the royal chapels and Trendell seems to have spent quite a lot of time in Oxford. All in all they are both very well qualified and have suitable experience to be directing excellent mixed voice chapel choirs. 
 

Opportunities in the choir: Tours, recordings and broadcasts

When comparing chapel choirs a very important aspect must surely be where they go on holiday and what they record; so, let us review both categories with respect to both choirs.

Tours (from last five years in reverse chronological order)
Holloway: Belgium - USA - France - Belgium - Latvia. (Future US tours also planned)

King's: USA - France - France - France - France - Irland/UK - France - France -  USA
We can see that King's tour a lot. To France. The USA is clearly popular too. You might note that Holloway have a slightly more varied set of locations, but then you might equally consider Latvia a slightly desperate place to go on tour. It seems once again there is little to go on.


Recordings
It is worth noting here that Royal Holloway has recently been signed by the high profile label Hyperion, as has King's amazingly enough. King's have also been working with Gaudeamus and Delphian for some time.

(recordings from the last ten years in reverse chronological order)
Holloway:  Dubra (Hyperion - 2009) - Cooman Concert Recording(2009) - Cooman (American Classics - 2009) - Various (Signum Classics - 2008) - Various (2005) - Various Christmas (2004) - Various Choir Commissions (2004) - Various English Choral (2003) - Various English Choral (2002) - Various English Choral (2002)[sic] - Various Christmas (2001) - Various English Choral (2000) - Various Concert Recoding - (1999). Further recordings date back to 1994.
King's: Shchedrin with Caius College Choir (2009) - de Vivanco (2005) - Lobo (2003) - Various Advent (2002) - Taverner and Byrd (2001) - Thérèse (2000) There is no  information regarding older recordings.
Both choirs having bright recording futures with Hyperion, comparing the past seems slightly devalued. But, Holloway has racked up an impressive 13 discs over the last 10 years. Though it may be worth knowing that after the most recent four, they are all with the rather prolific previous director of music, Lionel Pike, who's recordings are available for £2.50 each including postage - if price is of any relevance. King's have a measly 6; but more specific focuses and a collaboration with the reputable Caius college choir could suggest a high standard.

Broadcasts
Holloway have previously broadcast on US radio as well as France and Latvia when on tour and in February (2010) they will sing their first BBC Radio 3 choral evensong. King's have been with BBC choral evensong for some time most recently broadcasting in January (2009) and do not report to have sung on local radio abroad. Once again the current status of the choirs seems very similar.

Choral Scholarships
Steering away from the choirs themselves slight for a moment there is a notable difference in the scholarships offered by the two choirs.


Holloway offers £500pa, singing lessons and preferential treatment for accommodation.
King's offers £350pa and lessons with Robert Rice.
Holloway have one rehearsal and one evensong per week.
King's rehearse and perform twice a week, one Eucharist and one evensong.



Universities

According to The Times rankings Holloway weighs in at 30th, and King's at 12th - this is not insignificant. Student to staff ratios are Holloway: 14.5:1, and King's 11.4:1, one of the highest in the country.For music (which you may consider relevant even if you are studying something else) Holloway is ranked 17th by the Times, and King's 3rd. King's is of course in central London with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings, Holloway is on the outskirts and comes with it's own set of pros and cons.



Conclusion
In so many respects these choirs are very similar. In my opinion the only important areas featuring any king of differences are:
Scholarship financial value (RUHL £500pa, KCL £350pa)
Amount of singing (RUHL one service, one rehearsal, KCL two services, two rehearsals)
Quality of university (Times Good Uni Guide: RUHL 30th, KCL 12th)


In all other respects these two choirs are equal, both have long histories of choral singing behind them, both are lead by brilliant, experienced choral directors, both come with excellent touring, recording and broadcasting opportunities, and both are among the best mixed voice collegiate choirs in the country.

Beginnings

Welcome to a semi-serious blog about the English choral tradition and the world in which it is practised. Comment (and perhaps criticism) lie at the heart of this endeavour but I shall attempt to report only true and reasonably up to date facts. However, I reserve the right to interpret said facts in an illogical manner.

Please feel free to contact me about any corrections or objections you have, I am not seeking to upset anyone.