Ex Cathedra

copyright James Ashby

copyright James Ashby

From its home in Birmingham, Ex Cathedra has established an international reputation as a leading UK choir and Early Music ensemble which, under founder and Artistic Director Jeffrey Skidmore, is known for its vibrant performances and a passion for seeking out not only the best but the unfamiliar and the unexpected in the choral repertoire. Since its formation in 1969, Ex Cathedra has grown into a unique musical resource, comprising specialist choir, its Consort of ten voices, period-instrument orchestra and thriving education programme.

Ex Cathedra presents its own season of concerts – from the fifteenth to twenty-first centuries – in Birmingham and London. It is delighted to be an Associate Artist at Town Hall and to have the opportunity to develop a long-term partnership with a concert hall which has played such an important part in building Birmingham’s musical reputation. Forthcoming concerts include a period-presentation of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. In addition, Ex Cathedra receives a growing number of invitations to appear at festivals and concert series in the UK and abroad. Recent performances include the Aldeburgh, Aranjuez, Canterbury, Chelsea, Chichester, Lichfield, Lufthansa, Newbury Spring, Santiago de Compostela, Salisbury, Stratford, St David’s and Three Choirs festivals.

Ex Cathedra records for Hyperion Records; a third disc of Latin American Baroque music – Fire Burning in Snow – was recently released to great critical acclaim, following the tremendous success of New World Symphonies and Moon, Sun And All Things, both best-selling CDs. Other Hyperion releases include Rameau arias with Carolyn Sampson; a Charpentier disc including Messe à quatre choeurs and Salve Regina à trois choeurs; and Peerson: Latin Motets. The group has also released discs of Vivaldi, Lalande, Lassus and Monteverdi on the ASV Gaudeamus label, and two very popular discs on its own label.

Jeffrey Skidmore has developed a reputation with Ex Cathedra for inspiring audiences with exciting programming which challenges but is always accessible. Recent years have seen: large-scale recreations of landmark moments from Birmingham’s history, such as Messiah 1784 and Elijah 1846; the launch of Ex Cathedra’s third programme of Latin American Baroque music, Fire Burning in Snow; and a diverse range of repertoire from Lassus to MacMillan – including several world premieres, such as John Joubert’s oratorio Wings of Faith.

For more information, visit www.ex-cathedra.org

Ex Cathedra events

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New Year's Eve Concert

Wed 31 Dec

Handel's Messiah

Fri 5 Dec

City of Birmingham Choir

Handel's Messiah

Tue 9 Dec

City of Birmingham Choir

Michael Seal

Schools Concert: New World Symphony

Fri 13 Feb 2009

11.30am and 1.30pm

The Ed Doolan Christmas Show

Fri 19 Dec

Blockbusters!

Mon 29 Dec

Music from the Movies