James Potter leads first concerts for New Cambridge Singers
For his first two concerts as the director of the New Cambridge Singers, James Potter has chosen a programme built around Chorales.
These formed the bedrock of much of Bach’s music and of Lutheran hymn singing and today are heard in a huge number of well-known works and form the basis for a whole genre of glorious choral music.
James, who is precentor and director of music at Magdalene College, is taking over as choir director for the New Cambridge Singers from Graham Walker.
James’ wide-ranging portfolio encompasses work with professional and amateur ensembles, choral societies, chamber and church choirs, and new music groups, as well as writing.
Having read Music at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford, he went on to study conducting with Paul Brough. He holds diplomas in organ and choral direction from the Royal College of Organists, the latter as winner of the John Brook (IAO) Memorial Prize. While in Oxford, he held positions at Christ Church Cathedral, Hertford College, and Pusey House.
A choir spokesperson said: “Bach and his contemporaries knew and loved these powerful songs, using them as the foundation for much of their devotional music, from the grandeur of the St Matthew Passion to smaller Cantatas. For Brahms, they were a way to connect his music to the baroque motets he so admired. Mendelssohn used one as the culmination of his Epiphany sequence describing the star above Bethlehem. Right up to the present day, English composers Philip Moore and John Rutter, and Norwegian Knut Nystedt use chorales respectively as a vehicle for prayer, a celebration of light, and a timeless meditation on the eternal. This concert will present a rich tapestry of colour which the listener will find deeply rewarding.”
Founded in 1986, the choir of 35 singers is drawn from a wide range of backgrounds. Membership is by audition every three years. Led by new director James Potter, the choir offers four to five varied programmes a year, which are generally performed both in a historic Cambridge venue, and again in one of the surrounding towns or villages. In addition, the choir often travels further afield and has given several concerts in London in recent years. Their last overseas trip was to Dresden in April 2016.
The first concert will take place on Saturday 16 March, at St John’s Hills Road, Cambridge at 7.30pm. Tickets information from newcambridgesingers.org.uk/
The second is Saturday 23 March, St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Linton at 7.30pm. Tickets from events@stmaryslinton.org.uk
