Nicola Lisle talks to Kennington United Church Choirs members about a concert and a new book

It’s extraordinary that in 42 years, the Kennington and District United Church Choirs have never sung in any of the Oxford college chapels. Until now.

In ten days’ time this 80-strong ensemble will make its debut at Exeter College, and conductor Trevor Cowlett is delighted.

“It’s a concert of French music, so we wanted a chapel where the organ could excel in its French repertoire,” he says. “We tried various college organs and decided that Exeter was the most French! So we’re there because of the organ. But it’s a lovely chapel anyway, so we’re very happy.”

The choir will be tackling one of its most challenging pieces yet, the glorious Duruflé Requiem, alongside Fauré’s more popular setting.

“I’ve wanted to do the Duruflé for a long time and haven’t really had the courage because it’s quite something,” Trevor says. “Having decided to do the Duruflé, the French programme sort of grew out of that.”

The organist for the concert is Jamal Sutton, who was the choir’s accompanist as a pupil at Magdalen College School, and, as a 10-year-old, sang the Pie Jesu in Fauré’s Requiem.

Now assistant director of chapel music at Winchester College, he is returning to accompany the choir and play French organ pieces.

The choir has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1973, when it had just 10 members. Numbers have soared and the standard has steadily improved – even though this is a non-auditioning choir, which welcomes anyone, regardless of their ability or experience.

“It’s a dangerous policy,” Trevor admits, “but an exciting one, because people who have never really sung before find they can, and sing extremely well.”

Over the years the choir has raised more than £430,000 for local, national and overseas charities – despite the fact that admission is free and they rely on audience donations.

Now the choir is about to be celebrated in a new book, written by local author and The Oxford Times contributor Sylvia Vetta.

Each chapter focuses on a different member’s story.

“I thought a lot of the stories would be similar, but they’re not,” she says. “There’s a lot of life journeys. You’ve got this hugely diverse group and what unites them is a love of singing.”

“They’re a fabulous crowd,” adds Trevor. “They all gel. When we have our interval, everyone’s milling around talking to everyone else. So it works on all sorts of different levels.”

Duruflé and Fauré Requiems
Exeter College Chapel
Sunday April 19, 2.30pm
Info and tickets: oxfordlieder.co.uk