Cumbria Rural Choirs was originally established in 1951.
Over the years its annual concerts included a wide range of choral works and were conducted by well known conductors.
Since the transition to Cumbria Singers the following concerts have performed:
Haydn: Insanae et vanae curae
Mozart: Exsultate, jubilate
Mozart: Great Mass in C Minor
Conductor: Matthew Owens
Cumbria Singers Concert April 2026 in Carlisle Cathedral ; Review
Following a bright and sunny day, the light from Carlisle Cathedral's award-winning East window provided the most appropriate backdrop to the massed forces of Cumbria Singers and before them musicians of the British Sinfonietta with organist Edward Taylor,
all under the direction of Conductor Matthew Owens.
What an inspired piece of programming to open proceedings with Haydn's motet 'Insanae et vanae curae', originally from his oratorio 'Il ritorno di Tobia' - which the composer took this choral piece from and rewrote it to a Latin text due largely to the fact that back in 1781 the work had sadly fallen from public favour. So "thank you" Cumbria Singers for once again bringing this very expressive work back to Carlisle! After some initial balance issues within the choral forces, and they with orchestra, there were some lovely moments of harmonic and vocal texture.
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The second work of the evening certainly required no introduction. Mozart's sacred motet 'Exsultate, jubilate' - written in Milan when he was only 16 years old. It certainly displays Mozart's understanding and total command of the Italian vocal style and calls
forth a real necessity for the soloist to perform the text in a musically theatrical way, demanding real virtuoso singing throughout.
What a wonderful platform then for soprano Susan Shepherd to totally engage with the large attentive audience before her! This all began with a beautifully-balanced orchestral introduction, with superb interaction from leader, who drew excellent musical
phrasing from her respective colleagues. This was a real delight, from a singer who held the audience throughout in such a "joyous" manner, displaying total vocal control and the ability to effectively sing into such a large space - "bravi!"
The first part of the evening's programme concluded with Joseph Haydn's ‘Te Deum’ for Choir and Orchestra. Haydn set this Latin Christian hymn, which dates from AD500, and regularly used across Catholic, Anglican and Methodist churches during services of Thanksgiving for special events. A good lively tempo was established from conductor Matthew Owens who drew some engaging singing from his choir, with notable contribution from the Bass section! Overall this performance managed to sustain a vital sense of momentum - which is absolutely what this work thrives on, both musically and spiritually.
Following the interval came the main work of the evening - the 'Great Mass in C minor' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and how rare it is these days to get the opportunity to experience a live performance of this amazing work, not least when there's so much
compositional content expected of everyone, from singers and orchestral players alike!! One member of the violin section commented afterwards that it had been his very first performance of the work.
When Mozart married Constanze without his father's consent, he promised him a major work to be performed in Salzburg having already written half of the Mass. Upon its performance in 1783 it only contained Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Benedictus. Subsequently the work was never completed - and it wasn't until the early 20th century that reconstruction began.
What a performance task of such monumental proportion then did Cumbria Singers take on in this colossal masterpiece; and they did so with such intent and total commitment. From the opening Kyrie there was a wonderful sense of choral balance with some lovely expressive tone. This was complemented by solo Soprano who created a good line with that of the organ. There were times during the performance where moments of hesitancy crept in from the Chorus, but then the sheer enormity and the demand in Mozart's writing was a huge "ask" in such a condensed rehearsal period. That said, there was so much to admire and enjoy from these forces, including good Tenor line in the Credoand an excellently balanced choral line with effective angst, combined with orchestra.
Other impressive moments came initially from Tenors and Basses during fugal writing in 'Jesu Christe - Cum Sancto Spiritu' – then good strong chorus work masterfully lead from conductor's inspiring direction! Really effective SATB part-work and balanced
singing during an expressive Credo.
Particular mention must be credited to the musicians of British Sinfonietta and organist Edward Taylor, with such beautiful balance and insight with Soprano soloist during 'Et incarnatus est'; beautiful Organ and Strings opening, then excellent contributions from
Flute, Oboe and Bassoon.
Thank you Cumbria Singers for such a full sound during the penultimate Sanctus, with again good fugal work from Basses and Tenors. The closing Benedictus displayed an expressively well-balanced Chorus, Orchestra and Quartet of soloists.
Many congratulations all-round . . . . .
Kelvin Dickinson
Other comments from the choir:
About the concert:
· -Inspiring- exciting -scary
· -exciting-challenging –emotional
· -Inspiring- encouraging-sensational
· -uplifting- spiritual-satisfying
· -memorable- enjoyable-uplifting
· -a wonderful experience (as usual)
· - magisterial- challenging- bucket-list
‘When I sang the Mozart C minor mass 30 years ago, I hoped I’d have the chance to sing this amazing piece of music again someday. I’m so grateful that Cumbria Singers gave me the chance to do that, challenging as it was! I’ve no idea how we sounded as a choir, but it was a treat to hear once again live performances of the solos, soprano duet, trio and final quartet, to sing with a live orchestra in the inspiring space of Carlisle Cathedral and to share the experience of working towards performance with the friends that I’ve made among the Cumbria Singers.’
‘I found singing in the cathedral enjoyable, exhilarating and uplifting. It was a wonderful introduction to Cumbria Singers; I will definitely sign up again next year. Excellent value for money. I benefitted greatly from working with Matthew. ‘
The Audience:
‘Congratulations on a great concert last night. The choir sounded strong and confident and always projected over the orchestra. We enjoyed the soloists especially the mezzo who had a lovely mellow tone.’ Katherine May and Michael Sanderson
‘I really enjoyed the evening last Saturday. The choir were amazing and in such a beautiful setting. ‘ John Crouch
‘It was a demanding programme, and the singers and musicians rose to the occasion under Matthew Owen's firm direction. ‘ Ian Hare
Handel June 2026
Laughing and Singing…
Nearly eighty singers came to the ‘Come and Sing Handel!’ day at Ullswater College on Saturday 20th June. The session was led by John Butt, who is the leader of the Dunedin Consort and regularly conducts choirs all over the world. He will be the Music Director and Conductor for Cumbria Singers’ 2026-2027 season.
John’s dynamic and outgoing personality captivated the singers within minutes! The hall soon rang to voices enthusiastically and confidently singing ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’ from Handel’s oratorio ‘Judas Maccabeus. Other choruses followed from the works of ‘Messiah’ (always popular!) , ‘St. Cecilia’ and, most importantly for the choir, ‘Saul’.
‘Saul ‘is recognised as being the most accomplished of Handel’s oratorios. It tells the tragic story of Saul’s relationship with David, who killed Goliath and went onto slay thousands of Saul’s enemies. Saul became jealous of David’s success and their relationship soured… The music reflects the emotional intensity of this relationship and the momentous events which eventually led to Saul’s tragic death. Singers greatly enjoyed singing the chorus ‘ How Excellent Thy Name’ which is the opening chorus of this work, and is a song of triumph for the victory over Goliath and the Philistines.
When reflecting on the day, one singer commented ‘ ‘Laughing and singing – wonderful combination!”
Vaughan Williams : Five Mystical Songs
John Rutter: Gloria
Conductor: Matthew Owens
Cumbria Singers Concert 26th April 2025 in Carlisle Cathedral : Review
It was a great privilege to be in the audience for the annual concert given by the Cumbria Singers. An imaginative and challenging programme had been devised with accompaniment provided by instrumentalists of the British Sinfonietta plus Edward Taylor on the organ.
The evening began with the Requiem of Bob Chilcott. It is unique in its text with the addition of a prayer in English and with some of the more vengeful and wrathful texts omitted. So, the largely reflective and meditative mood was very well captured by soloists and choir alike. More dramatic moments were there but were always well controlled and never overdone. Intonation in the choral singing was exemplary, and the instrumental backing was highly sensitive.
Soprano, Charlotte O’Hare and tenor, Thomas Elwin were soloists par excellence with the final solo soprano phrase rising beautifully heavenward. It sent shivers down my spine. This performance was dedicated with thanks to the memory of Pope Francis, whose funeral took place only a few hours earlier.
The second half began with the five Mystical Songs of Vaughan Williams. In the past I was lucky enough to perform the solo part where the poet, George Herbert, was married, in Edington Priory. Here we have truly wonderful Music and inspirational, spiritual words. Baritone soloist, Malachy Frame sang with a warm, rich tone and perfect technical control. Maybe, there was more depth and insight to find in these songs but the singing was expressive nonetheless and diction had complete clarity.
In the main the choir is performing a supporting role but they really came into their own in the Antiphon at the end which was sung with great relish and exuberance. Accompaniment here was expertly provided by organist, Edward Taylor.
The concert concluded with the Gloria by John Rutter. Here we had a different set of instrumentalists, this time a large brass ensemble and percussion, with some delicate organ passages. The Tuba was only a few inches from my nose! The
playing here was simply superb and lifted the evening and the choir to new heights as they sang with renewed zest as well as real poise and assurance. Our soprano soloist had a wonderful short solo near the end which was sung atmospherically and out of sight from me. It was a magical ending to this memorable concert all conducted effectively, engagingly and economically by the inspirational Matthew Owens.
Michael Hancock
| Elgar: The Music Makers Faure: Cantique de Jean Racine Faure: Requiem |
| Conductor: Andrew Padmore |
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Conductor: Andrew Padmore
Cumbria Rural Choirs 1951-2022