Summertown Choral Society is a well-established, mixed-voice choir based in North Oxford with around 130 members drawn from the city and surrounding areas. The choir traditionally holds two concerts each season, in January/February and May/June, and aims for a high musical standard. We rehearse in the church of St Michael and All Angels on Lonsdale Road in Summertown each Thursday evening 8 – 9.30pm from September to June, with short breaks for Christmas and Easter.

The choir has been directed by Duncan Saunderson since 1996, with Julian Littlewood as accompanist from 1997.

We are a large and inclusive choir in which members of all standards enjoy singing. Musicianship is fostered with a planned rehearsal schedule, workshops and opportunities to sing in smaller groups. The social side of music-making is also something we enjoy, with regular events, parties, and an annual holiday under the auspices of Summertown Singers. Everyone should be able to enjoy choral singing and we try to make this happen.

Since its foundation in 1961, SCS has performed a diverse range of choral music, from major works such as Brahms's German Requiem and Mozart's Great Mass in C minor to less familiar miniatures such as Britten's Five Flower Songs and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana. In February 2012, the choir performed J.S. Bach's  Mass in B Minor with period instruments: “… this seemed a particularly spirited and heartfelt performance. Conductor Duncan Saunderson was bristling with purpose as he took to the stand, and the 130-strong choir was in fine fettle, delivering the choruses with commitment and enthusiasm.”  (Oxford Times 8th February 2012)

Works recently commissioned for the choir include Bill Ives’s Songs of Ariel, based on texts from Shakespeare, and, for the choir’s golden jubilee concert in 2011, Philip Moore’s Three Oxford Songs.

Excerpts of these and details of many other performances may be found on our concert history pages, along with photos and other memorabilia.

A copy of the choir's constitution can be found here.