Lichfield Cathedral Chorus is to be the new name of Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir. Following a highly successful first 50 years it was agreed at the AGM of Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir that the original name of the choir - with the inclusion of "Special" was no longer relevant and could cause misunderstanding. From the new season starting in September 2010 the choir will be known as Lichfield Cathedral Chorus.

Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir is delighted that the CD of the live recording of the World Première of Advent Oratorio is now available. 

There was a standing ovation for the premiere of Advent Oratorio. Conductor Philip Scriven was joined on stage by composer Paul Spicer and librettist Tom Wright, to the delight of all.

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The World Premiere performance of the Advent Oratorio is to be recorded at the 50th Anniversary Concert on 5th December. A CD will be produced for sale.

The CD will include the hymns sung by the audience, so come along to the concert and be part of the recording too!

2009 - 2010 Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir had an exciting season of special events to mark 50 years of performing choral works in Lichfield Cathedral. In September, the choir began rehearsing a new work by Paul Spicer, Advent Oratorio, especially commissioned for the anniversary. The world premiere performance of this took place on  December 5th when the choir also performed Handel's Messiah (Part 1).

Other concerts for the season were the ever popular Brahms Requiem with the orchestra playing Dvorak, New World Symphony on May 8th 2010 and then a musical celebration on June 12th involving local school children in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus.

Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir is fortunate to have such talented musicians within the Cathedral community and is looking forward to Harriet Hunter (Soprano) and Fran Ambrose (Baritone) joining them at the concert on 8th May 2010.

More exciting news about the African Sanctus concert on 12th June with the confirmation of instrumentalists, Backbeat Percussion Quartet. Also joining in the celebration will be soprano Elizabeth Cragg.

The 50th Anniversary Season got off to a fine start when Paul Spicer brought along his laptop and speakers to introduce his newly composed work, Advent Oratorio. The computer rendition took a bit of getting used to but it was an exciting start to the year.

The grand finale to our anniversary season will be a real celebration with 180 local school children to be trained by Cathy Lamb to join in the performance of the African Sanctus on 12th June 2010.

For the 50th Anniversary concert on 5th December 2009, the choir is delighted to be welcoming back to Lichfield a delightful set of soloists in Natalie Clifton-Griffith (Soprano), Philip Jones (Alto), Ed Lyon (Tenor), and William Berger (Baritone).