.png)
The Choir rehearsing Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, St Mary-le-More, February 2024
Experienced singer or newcomer: we're the choir for you!
Remember how you loved singing at school? Are you keen to find your voice once again?
Or have you caught the singing bug more recently? Are you looking for a friendly place to build up your confidence?
Whether you’re a seasoned singer or a recent convert, South Oxfordshire Choir is the answer.
We’ve been around for a while (originally as Cranford Choral Society), performing all kinds of gorgeous music from major choral works to musicals. We’re a friendly bunch, with different levels of ability, and there’s no audition before you join.
But while we have a lot of fun, we’re also passionate about getting better. We want to make South Oxfordshire Choir the go-to place for people who love to sing.
So why not give us a go…and see if we’re right for you. We offer three free sessions so you can try us out before you join!
When and Where Do We Meet?
We sing together every Monday from 8 to 9.30 pm, rehearsing for our regular concerts.
Our rehearsal venue has recently changed to St Mary's Church, Wallingford.
We are now rehearsing for our next concert The Poetry of Music: From Shakespeare to Shelley.
Please see Our Next Concerts for more details.
Crawford Wiley sets our music direction
A good choir heavily depends on its musical leader for success. We’re delighted to introduce you to our lovely Music Director, Crawford Wiley.
Crawford, a native of Florida, took his Master's in Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame, studying organ with Professor Emeritus Dr Craig Cramer, and conducting with the late Dr Carmen-Helena Téllez.
Before beginning his current post as a bass lay clerk in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, he served for seven years as the Director of Liturgy and Music at St Jude the Apostle in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. During this time, Crawford was a member of the vocal ensemble Aperi Animam, as well as the Milwaukee Chamber Choir and the Chant Claire Chamber Choir. Since his move to Oxford in 2021 he has sung with the Oxford Schola Cantorum, the Delius Singers and the Oxford Oratory Choir, and plays continuo for the Basilinda Consort. When not sorting music as the choir librarian at Christ Church, he enjoys baking, reading and poking around churches.
Crawford joined us in 2023 leading us in a delightful selection of part songs for our concert Songs of Summer. Our Christmas concert in 2023 was an equally delightful mix of well-known and not so well-known Advent and Christmas carols.
Then in February 2024 we performed Rossini's wonderful Petite Messe Solennelle in St Mary's Wallingford. Judging by the faces of the choir and the wonderful praise of the audience, we can safely say this was one of our best concerts ever. Thank you to our excellent soloists, Anne Light on piano, Benjamin Sheen on organ and, of course, to Crawford for his endless patience, encouragement and enthusiasm during rehearsals and on the night. Our poster for the event is below.
Our rehearsal and concert venue in Wallingford
Anne Light, our wonderful pianist