Since its formation in 1984 by our President Martyn Bagnall, Ipswich Chamber Choir has established a reputation for a high standard of performance and is honoured to have renowned tenor Mark Padmore as its patron.
We celebrated our 40th anniversary last year with concerts of Bach, jazz and a memorable evening of choral favourites chosen by the members.
The Bach Passion Cycle – The climax of an inspirational project to perform J S Bach’s Passions over four years with Amici Voices and The Geldart Ensemble took place in the packed Snape Maltings on Saturday 5th April. Our enthusiastic audience held their breath after the emotional closing bars, not wanting to break the powerful spell, but were quick to send us their feelings:
“Bravi Tutti! A superb performance of St Matthew Passion at Snape this evening.”
“Flawless, beautiful and very, very moving. Thank you ICC, Benedict Collins Rice, St Edmundsbury Cathedral choristers, Geldart Ensemble and soloists.”
And this from Rachel Stroud, Leader of the Geldart Ensemble, ” What can I say. It has been a joy and a privilege to work with the ICC over the past few years. The choir has stepped up their game for each and every performance, and last night was a fitting end to the incredible journey we’ve been on together. Your text projection showed up some of the pro choirs I’ve worked with, and the shaping and passion in the delivery was truly moving. I have three more St Matthews coming up, and none of them will come close to what we achieved together in Snape Maltings last night. Thank you for everything.”
Our talented and imaginative Music Director Benedict Collins Rice has conducted the choir since 2018. Commenting on Ipswich Chamber Choir’s concert in Snape he said, “The Dream Team of Amici Voices and The Geldart Ensemble arrive at the St Matthew Passion with ICC on the back of rare performances of Bach’s St Luke and St Mark Passions, as well as a sell-out of the ever-popular St John. A close relationship has developed between some of East Anglia’s finest amateur singers and truly world class professional musicians.”
We were privileged to have such a distinguished singer as our Patron Mark Padmore, visiting the choir for a rehearsal as we prepared for our performance in Snape Maltings. He is well known for his performances as the Evangelist and gave us an inspirational evening, offering his guidance on bringing the drama of the St Matthew Passion to our performance and to give us technical tips on singing the German text to convey the intense emotion of the work. Mark commented that the St Matthew Passion is still relevant in today’s world and goes beyond religion to talk about the world at large. He added: “This piece is hugely important. It’s about suffering; it’s about somebody being betrayed by a friend; wrongfully arrested, but interrogated, tortured and finally killed. It’s a story that, unfortunately, is as relevant today, as ever.”
On a sunnier note, this summer we will be performing our Pastoral Paradise concert on 04 June at 4.00pm at St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere, as part of the Ipswich Charter 825 Festival celebrating the 825th anniversary of the Ipswich Charter granted by King John. The programme will showcase the sublime Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams, arranged for choir by Paul Drayton, with Tom Aldren violin, Three Folk songs by Jonathan Rathbone and other traditional folk songs.
On 16 December the choir will celebrate The Charter and Christmas with our annual Christmas Crackers concert including mince pies, mulled wine and some traditional carols for audience participation, at St Peter’s by the Waterfront.
Ipswich Chamber Choir is a Registered Charity and welcomes new members. Come and try a few rehearsals. We sing satisfyingly challenging music, our conductor is sensational and we are super friendly. We have spaces in particular for tenors. We enjoy a varied programme of musical and social events, including at least three concerts a year.
If you are a young singer we have a free Choral Apprenticeship Scheme. More information on our website www.ipswichchamberchoir.org.uk Contact us at [email protected]
Choir events are posted on Ipswich.love here:
Ipswich Chamber Choir
Tower Street Ipswich IP1 3BE
Ipswich Chamber Choir welcomes new members. Come and try a few rehearsals. We sing satisfyingly challenging music, our conductor is sensational and we are super friendly.
Events with Ipswich Chamber Choir
- Sat 14th Jun 2025
Submitted by
Marian Stephens, Secretary Ipswich Chamber Choir
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