The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford was founded in 1480, as one of the largest choral foundations in late-medieval England, and this historic legacy has been preserved and maintained over five centuries. The Choir exists primarily to sing the daily services in Magdalen College Chapel, and also sings at a number of special occasions throughout the year, including the famous May Day celebrations, an ancient tradition dating back to the 16th century. The choristers are educated at Magdalen College School, and the Academical Clerks are ordinarily undergraduate members of the College, studying a range of subjects.
The Choir has appeared in the BBC Proms and at venues across the UK, Europe and the USA, as well as collaborating with a number of orchestras including Britten Sinfonia, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. They have won a Gramophone award, and appeared on film and TV soundtracks.
The Choir has recorded for Harmonia Mundi and Opus Arte, and in 2024 released its first album on CORO, the recording label of The Sixteen, one of the world’s leading choirs, founded and directed by former Academical Clerk and Honorary Fellow of Magdalen College, Harry Christophers CBE.
Our Choristers
The choristers, aged between 8 and 13, are educated at Magdalen College School, a day school educating boys aged between 7 and 18 and, from 2027, girls beginning from 7 yrs. The school will be fully co-educational by 2034. The School is situated a short walk from the College, and choristers receive generous bursaries. The schedule involves rehearsals each morning, Tuesday to Friday inclusive, before school, afternoon rehearsals and Evensong Tuesday to Thursday inclusive, two services on a Sunday, and occasional Saturday services during the University terms, in addition to annual foreign tours, recording projects, concerts and other events. Auditions are held throughout the year.
Further information can be found on the Magdalen College School, Oxford website.
