Formerly known as Cumbria Rural Choirs, Cumbria Singers was launched in May 2022.
An annual concert where the programme primarily consists of large-scale choral works, led by a professional conductor and accompanied by professional musicians, continues to be the major feature of its activities. This provides participants with the opportunity to enjoy an experience which smaller choirs, with greater financial constraints and smaller numbers, are unlikely to be able to offer. Since the re-launch the annual concert has been performed in Carlisle Cathedral. This splendid historical setting provides the appropriate spiritual context to complement the themes of the choral works. Upcoming events
Each season an internationally renowned conductor leads the choir rehearsals as our Music Director as well as conducting the concert.
Matthew Owens was appointed in 2024 and continues to be the Music Director and Conductor for the 2025-26 Season.
The British Sinfonietta, accompanies the choir and soloists for the concert performance. This is one of the UK’s leading independent professional orchestras. They are experienced performers in classical and choral concerts, televised events, studio recording sessions and film screenings with live soundtracks. The orchestra is convened by Dave Danford, of Absolute Music Services.
When an organ accompaniment is required, this is provided by Edward Taylor, the assistant organist and director of the Consort at Carlisle Cathedral. Edward is in high demand as a concert organist, accompanist and chamber musician.
Soloistsfor the performance are professionals drawn from across the UK. They are usually invited to sing at the concert by our Music Director of the season.
Our rehearsal accompanist will continue to be David T Shingler, a young highly talented musician, who joined us for the 2023-24 season.
This unique blend of amateur choral singers led and supported by professional musicians, leads to concert performances which reach an exceptionally high standard. It enhances the vocal accomplishment and confidence of the choir and delights our audiences. This achievement is reflected in the concert reviews that have been written by independent reviewers. Through its communication networks with other choirs and arts venues across the region, Cumbria Singers helps to strengthen the links between cultural groups. Its members are regularly informed about other musical events taking place across the county, which they are encouraged to attend/ participate.
Rehearsalsnow take place as four full day Saturday workshops, with online resources and guidance provided on the Members section of the web site. This enables the choir to rehearse at their own convenience in between. Immediately prior to the concert in April, rehearsals take place in the Cathedral on the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Choral Scholars: Our Patrons have generously supported our Choral Scholars initiative. This will enable up four 16 + year old students to receive a small bursary toward their travel and musical activities, free membership of Cumbria Singers and the opportunity to sing in the concert.
Cumbria Singers is a registered charity (Charity number: 1168081) .
It is managed by a board of Trustees who are volunteer choir members. Its policiesare regularly reviewed and updated by the Trustees.
Our President and Vice-Presidents provide advice and ongoing support.
President
Andrew Padmore BEM
Vice-Presidents
Anna Clark
Ian Hare
Eileen Dunning OBE
Mark Duthie
Vic Watson
Patrons
Susan Bagot
Hal Bagot
Melvyn Bragg
Mary Cooke
Will Todd
Choir members comments on their experiences of 2024-25rehearsals and singing in the concert in the cathedral included the following:
Chair Margaret Riches chair@cumbria-rural-choirs.org.uk
Treasurer Clive Riches treasurer@cumbria-rural-choirs.org.uk
Secretary Ann Bishop
Geoff Bowles
Margaret Ferriby
Felicity Payne
Carl Thomson
Elected at the 2025 AGM
Gislint Harvey
David Wood
Gerard Kelly
Anne Eastwood
Safeguarding Officer
Jackie Wright
Matthew Owens is in demand internationally as a conductor, composer, and organist. He is Founder and Music Director ofthe Ulster Consort, Northern Ireland’s newest professional vocal and instrumental ensemble; Conductor of the Belfast City Chorus; Professor of Vocals at the Royal Marines School of Music; and Associate Director of the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, in Michigan, USA.
Previously, he was the director of music at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, and Wells Cathedral. Under his leadership, Wells Cathedral Choir was named by an international jury for Gramophone as the best choir in the world with children, and the sixth greatest overall. From 2019-2022, he was Director of Music of Belfast Cathedral, where he re-established the choir as a professional adult ensemble, winning international acclaim for its work: “it could well be the finest all-adult standing choir of its kind anywhere, with near-perfect vowel harmony, blend, enunciation, nuanced awareness of phrase and an exceptional, bright and pure soprano group.” (Gramophone).
He has guest conducted, among others, the London Mozart Players, Ulster Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, Nash Ensemble, and the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. As a conductor he has made over 30 CDs with major labels, and now records exclusively for the award-winning label, Resonus Classics. He has directed choral workshops and summer schools throughout the UK and abroad – including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the USA.
As an organist, Matthew has given recitals in Australia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the USA, and throughout the UK. Matthew has championed new music, particularly of British composers, conducting over 200 world premieres, including works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to Sir James MacMillan. As a composer himself, Matthew is published by Oxford University Press and Novello.