The choir

Nonsuch Singers, described by The Times as "one of London’s best chamber choirs" and by Early Music Review as "an impressive London-based chamber choir", is increasingly well-known for its innovative programmes, high-quality singing and communicative performances. Stylistic versatility has become a recognised hallmark of concerts and the choir's repertoire encompasses a cappella and accompanied works from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir regularly performs with many of the UK's leading instrumental ensembles and finest young vocal soloists.

Founded in 1977, the choir celebrated its 25th anniversary in May 2002 with a highly-acclaimed sell-out performance of Bach's Mass in B minor at St John's, Smith Square, recommended as "Critic's Choice" in The Times. Highlights of recent years have included an acclaimed performance of Monteverdi's Vespers with His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts at St Martin-in-the-Fields (again recommended as "Critic's Choice" in The Times), the televised world première of John Tavener’s Exhortation and Kohima in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, a critically acclaimed concert of French Baroque works, edited by Lionel Sawkins, with an orchestra led by Catherine Mackintosh and soloists including Emma Kirkby, and the first complete modern performance of Pancrace Royer’s opera, Zaïde, Reine de Grenade, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Contemporary British works are a noted feature of the choir’s repertoire and performances have often been attended by the composer concerned. The choir's impressive 2006/7 London concert series was typical in encompassing an exceptionally wide range of choral works, including a programme of English choral classics at St Martin-in-the-Fields, a concert of sacred music from five centuries at Southwark Cathedral, and a sell-out concert of Christmas music and readings with celebrity readers including Maureen Lipman, Kristin Scott Thomas and David Suchet, held at Cadogan Hall in aid of the National Autistic Society.

Since the appointment in 1996 of the choir’s current director Graham Caldbeck, concerts have frequently sought to make less-familiar music accessible by exploring connections between established composers and lesser-known contemporary works. This distinctive programming approach has been remarked upon by London’s Time Out ("the choir fascinatingly blend Renaissance with modern") and Evening Standard. The choir regularly repeats programmes outside London. Recent years have seen concerts in Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Oxfordshire and Suffolk. In July 2005 the choir sang the Cathedral services at Hereford and in 2003 did so at Worcester

Nonsuch Singers currently consists of some forty members. Many have considerable experience of singing in university chamber and chapel choirs and all are united in their enthusiasm and commitment to perform the world's greatest choral music to a wide audience and to the highest standards. Nonsuch Singers became a registered charity in 2004.

Nonsuch singers is a registered charity. Registered charity no.1105880.