About Us

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, will continue to be a major feature of its activities. This will provide 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. Where circumstances allow, the annual concert will be performed in a high-profile venue in Cumbria with the capacity to accommodate a large choir, orchestra and accompanying singers.

It will also continue to engage an internationally-renowned Conductor for the concert, but this person will also be the Music Director who will lead all the rehearsals throughout the season. A different Music Director/Conductor will be involved each year.

Cumbria Singers will strengthen the links which already exist and increase its communication networks with other choirs, arts venues and cultural groups across the region. This will enable Cumbria Singers to regularly ‘signpost’ its members to other musical events taking place across Cumbria, recruit members and publicise its activities.

As opportunities arise, Cumbria Singers will work collaboratively with other organisations to enable its members to have opportunities to participate in innovative community-based projects co-ordinated by Cumbria Singers or other cultural groups.

2023-24 Season

The Music Director/Conductor is Andrew Padmore. He is a popular conductor with choirs and orchestras internationally and is a leading figure in the choral world. His work is highly acclaimed by critics for the dynamism of his approach. His outgoing personality and sense of humour makes him a liked and respected music director and conductor. Through his professional leadership, members of Cumbria Singers will improve their singing technique and confidence: skills which will be transferable for singing with other choral groups.

Andrew Padmore

The Programme for 2023-24 comprises works by Gabriel Fauré (Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine) and Edward Elgar (The Music Makers).

The performance will take place in the splendour of Carlisle Cathedral, which provides the space for a large choir and orchestra and the appropriate spiritual context to complement the theme of the work.

Cumbria Singers are extending a warm welcome to singers from across Cumbria to participate in the preparation and performance of these large-scale choral works.

There are no auditions and no previous experience of choral singing is required, just an enthusiasm for singing and a willingness to learn with the support of an inspiring leader. The choir will be led through a combination of face-to-face rehearsals and e-based tuition (available on-line for practising between rehearsals). The face-to-face rehearsals will commence in September 2023, with most taking place on Saturdays as full-day workshops, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. At least four of these will take place between September and April. Occasionally, evening rehearsals may be necessary, but these will usually only take place just before the concert.

You may download the publicity flyer for the current season here. Membership forms, a rehearsal timetable and other material may be downloaded from our Resources section. From early March you will also be able to buy tickets for the concert from Ticket Source - a link will be provided on the Resources page.

Members are able to access the e-based tuition through the members’ area. The password is provided when the membership subscription has been received by our treasurer.

President

  • Lady Cressida Inglewood

Vice-Presidents

  • Anna Clark
  • Ian Hare
  • Eileen Dunning OBE
  • Mark Duthie
  • The Rt. Rev. James Newcombe
  • Andrew Padmore
  • Vic Watson

Patrons

  • Susan Bagot
  • Hal Bagot
  • Melvyn Bragg
  • Mary Cooke
  • Will Todd

Trustees

Whistleblowing officer

  • Stewart Wagstaff

Music Director and Conductor 2023-24

  • Andrew Padmore

Supporting Cumbria Singers

Becoming a Friend of Cumbria Singers will provide you with regular updates and entitle you to priority booking. For more information, please see our Friend of Cumbria Singers leaflet and application form.

Sponsorship

The costs of our annual concert and other community-based initiatives cannot be met entirely through membership subscriptions. Sponsorship towards particular aspects of the annual concert and other donations is greatly appreciated. Please contact us for further information as to how you can support us.