Directed by Simon Brown

The Wren Choir, also termed "Cambridge's Graduate Choir" meets for rehearsals and performances almost exclusively during the University Vacations, thus is suitable for those who have a link with the University but are now postgraduates or employed full-time in Cambridge or the surrounding area. It is particularly suitable for those who either have a Term-time choir, or heavy teaching commitments during Term which mean they miss out on choir membership entirely. Membership is open to anyone who has a past or present link with the University who is an experienced singer, for example, has been a member of a chapel choir for a couple of years.

The commitment is low as members sign up to do a particular performance and the associated rehearsals if they are available. People are not blacklisted if they have a couple of busy vacations and can't join in for a while. Rehearsals and most performances take place in Pembroke's "Wren" Chapel, and are always in the evening, normally at 6pm after the working day. The Wrens are social choir, and rehearsals are generally followed by the chance to go to a pub with other choir members.

We have two Pembroke Services planned for the Long Vac. The first will be on Thursday 26th July, and the second on Tuesday 18th September. The rehearsal schedule for these has yet to be confirmed.

If you are interested in joining the mailing list, please email Heather Coleman with your voice type and a brief summary of your prior singing experience.

Recent Activities

During the Christmas Vacation we sang a service at Pembroke on Tuesday 13th December, and a concert in Milton Parish Church on Saturday 14th January.

Our Easter Vacation Service was at Pembroke on 19th April. Music was by Gibbons, Tallis, Dering and Philips

A brief history of the choir

We were founded by an Australian Pembroke College Graduate Student, Jonathan Wallis. He arrived in Cambridge to start his PhD, joined the chapel choir which he presumably enjoyed, since he was a loyal Chapel Choir member for several years. And thus was perhaps a little perturbed when he was told, in early June, that the next meeting of the choir would be early October! Anyway, he started his own choir, to sing in the vacations in Pembroke Chapel.

We are The Wren Choir as the Chapel is the first building of Christopher Wren, consecrated in 1665, known in shorthand as "The Wren Chapel".

Pub review

Recent post-rehearsal Wren Choir pub trips have been to the Hopbine on Fair Street. Various choir members have been very impressed with the quality of the food and drink, especially the excellent choice of real ales on offer. We were particularly impressed with the friendly and helpful service we got when about twenty of us turned up after the Easter Service all wanting food and drink.