Being a Pembroke Chorister
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Each morning when our pupils arrive in Brewer Street ready for the school day, they pass alongside one of the best-preserved sections of Oxford’s medieval city walls which also happens to be the southern boundary of Pembroke College. Founded in 1624 by King James I on the site of Broadgates Hall, Pembroke was named after the then Chancellor of the University, the Earl of Pembroke. Broadgates itself was built on land owned by St Frideswide’s Priory, the institution which later became Christ Church, giving Pembroke and CCCS an ancient link which should be unsurprising given that they are our nearest neighbours.
Pembroke’s celebrated alumni include the writer Samuel Johnson as well as JRR Tolkien, who was a Fellow at Pembroke and wrote much of ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ while teaching there. Music is a big part of life at Pembroke, with its chapel choir, orchestras, jazz groups, and regular student concerts, all ensuring that the college has a lively and creative atmosphere. In 2019 CCCS established a formal musical relationship with Pembroke, agreeing to provide trebles to sing in its chapel choir. This bucked the nationwide trend of a decline in boys’ singing, and to be in a position where three Oxford choirs draw on our musicians is very special indeed.
Pembroke’s Director of Music is Mark Wilson, a conductor and bassoonist who has also sung as a countertenor in the choirs of Magdalen Chapel and at Worcester and Birmingham Cathedrals. Mr Wilson trains the choristers in conjunction with Pembroke’s undergraduate organ scholars, rehearsing in the school Library on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8am. They sing evensong in Pembroke’s glorious, colourful chapel during University term time at 5.30pm, in addition to a short practice after school on Mondays. Through their regular choral routine, the Pembroke choristers become confident singers who develop sight-reading, focus and ensemble skills that will stay with them for life – not to mention the camaraderie and discipline that comes from performing at a high musical level on an equal footing with adults.
As with services at Christ Church and Worcester, Pembroke’s chapel evensongs are open to the public and I would warmly encourage parents to visit and hear them. It is especially exciting that the Pembroke Choristers will be singing evensong in the cathedral this term, at 6.05pm on Monday 8th June, performing a superb menu of music by Purcell and Dyson. Past Pembroke choir outings have included visiting evensongs at Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey, and there are exciting plans for a tour next academic year too…. watch this space! CCCS is very proud of its brilliant Pembroke choristers, so if you think your son might be interested in joining please do get in touch. Team Pembroke and I would love to hear from you.
Ms Sophie Biddell
Director of Music
