Before exploring the story of Saint Peter’s Singers, let’s define a chamber choir. A chamber choir is a small vocal ensemble where all members are professionally trained. The Saint Peter’s Singers of Leeds Cathedral has its own unique history, and their concerts continue to captivate audiences. Today, we’ll learn more about this celebrated ensemble. Next on leeds-trend.com.
The Origins of Saint Peter’s Singers
The Saint Peter’s Singers is a core component of Leeds Cathedral, consisting of 40 mixed voices. It is regarded as one of the finest chamber choirs in Northern England and operates as a charitable organisation.
The choir was founded in 1977 by Harry Fearnley, a legendary alto in the Leeds Cathedral Choir. It was later led by organist and conductor Simon Lindley. Most of their performances and concerts have taken place in Leeds, but they have also performed at venues such as:
- The Moravian Church in Fulneck,
- The Parish Church of All Saints in Cawthorne,
- Dewsbury Minster,
- Doncaster Minster,
- Leicester Cathedral,
- The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, among others.
Many of the choir members were part of the Minster Choral Foundation and trained at the University of Leeds or the Leeds College of Music.
In 2007, the choir embarked on its first international tour, performing in Romania. Two years later, former Leeds residents invited them to perform in Mallorca, followed by concerts in other European cities, including:
- San Francesc and Palma de Mallorca,
- Vannes, Quimper, and Josselin, among others.
The Choir’s Remarkable Repertoire
The Saint Peter’s Singers boasts a diverse repertoire of sacred and secular choral music, spanning works from the 16th century to the modern era. The choir has also staged two monodramas composed by Francis Jackson: “Daniel in Babylon” and “Time of Fire”.
Since 2007, the choir has regularly performed works by Bach and Handel at the Moravian Church. In 2010, they presented the programme “Sacred Choral Classics” at Birmingham Town Hall. A year later, they performed at Leeds Town Hall. The choir frequently appears in public venues across Leeds and beyond, with numerous events hosted at Leeds Town Hall.
The Saint Peter’s Singers actively collaborates with other chamber choirs and ensembles. Their vocalists have performed at festivals, anniversary concerts, and events such as:
- Performances with the National Festival Orchestra,
- Concerts at Worcester Cathedral and York Minster,
- Participation in the One Equal Music project, where sacred choral music was performed a cappella in Leeds’ Victoria Quarter.
Leeds Cathedral stands on the site of one of the city’s oldest churches, dating back to the 7th century. The modern cathedral was completed in 1841, funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of Leeds residents.
The Saint Peter’s Singers holds a special place in Leeds’ musical and cultural heritage. The choir is celebrated for its professionalism, rich repertoire, and commitment to the community. Its members are cherished by audiences across Britain for their dedication to high-quality performances.
We hope this article has enriched your understanding of Leeds’ history and its vibrant music scene. Have you attended a concert by the Saint Peter’s Singers? Share your experiences with us on social media!
