It was a perfect piece of preparation for Christmas. … The choir is large and its standards are high… A special work in a special venue performed by a Special Choir made for a special night

What a delightful Mozartfest we enjoyed in the cathedral, courtesy of the Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir and St. Chad's Camerata, conducted by Philip Scriven ... The Choir's excellent tuning was apparent from the start ..... All of the performers rose magnificently to this special occasion ... This combination of an excellent young quartet, a well-balanced and sensitive orchestra and a committed choir has produced a most fitting concert to celebrate Mozart's special year, and augurs well for a splendid Messiah in December.

... a magnificent and thrilling performance... From the opening bars, the fervent and enthusiastic choir produced a good balance between parts, a rich warm tone, and wonderfully clear diction throughout. They managed the colossal emotional swings which characterise the work (Verdi's Requiem) with aplomb ... An evening, then of many soul-stirring moments.

The atmosphere in the Cathedral was one of great anticipation as a very large audience gathered to hear the St. Matthew Passion performed by the combined forces of the Special Choir, the Chamber Choir and the Choristers of Lichfield Cathedral, together with the Birmingham Bach Orchestra. This memorable evening was as much an act of worship as a concert. The chorus members displayed great energy and remarkable clarity of diction.

This performance of Mendelssohn's great oratorio Elijah should definitely go into the choir's top ten performances list... Mr. Scriven's enthusiastic conducting brought out its drama and excitement, making us realise just why it has been acclaimed as arguably the greatest English oratorio (apart from the Messiah, of course) ever since its first performance in 1846.

Lichfield can be proud of the Easter Oratorio (commissioned by Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir, music composed by Paul Spicer, words by former Dean of Lichfield Tom Wright), and last Saturday's performance in the Cathedral given by the three Cathedral based choirs was conducted by Cathedral Organist Andrew Lumsden in an emotionally-charged final appearance with the Special Choir before leaving to become Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral.

In July 2000, the first performance of Paul Spicer's Easter Oratorio took place as the finale to the Lichfield International Arts Festival:

The last major concert of this year's Lichfield International Arts Festival was devoted to the world premiere of the Easter Oratorio, a setting by Festival Director, Paul Spicer, for soloists, boy's choir, orchestra, organ, and congregation of Chapters 20 and 21 of the St John Gospel in a fresh translation by New Testament scholar Dr Tom Wright...

The world premiere of a new composition is a rare event and within moments of hearing the opening bars of Malcolm Archer’s specially commissioned piece, we knew we were about to enjoy a brilliant, tuneful work. … The infectious enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail of conductor Andrew Lumsden really paid off, with every performer and every member of the audience clearly enjoying a splendid night out.

Canticle is an impressive choral work of major proportions, inspired by the historical fact of the cathedral being dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Chad. … The music – so very English, and none the worst for that – moves to a thrilling climax.