Three Spires Singers
Three Spires Singers is a choir that combines a love of the best-known choral repertoire with the excitement of breaking totally new ground. We make a unique contribution to the region's music scene by staging major events, performing with world-class musicians, commissioning new works and organising educational seminars.
Recognised as one of the leading choirs in the South-West, Three Spires Singers is a 120-strong auditioned choir. We were founded in 1981 as the chorus for the Three Spires Festival which was directed by Richard Hickox, and we became an independent organisation in 1987. We usually stage four concerts a year, most of which are in Truro Cathedral, though from time to time we perform in Hall for Cornwall in Truro, St Endellion Church in North Cornwall or further afield – for example London's Cadogan Hall.
Three Spires Singers is an adult choir but from time to time children may take part in all or part of a performance. We take child protection seriously and our Safeguarding Policy may be viewed here TSS Safeguarding policy
Three Spires Singers complies with data protection law regarding collection, storage and use of information about individuals connected with the choir. Our policy may be viewed here TSS Data Protection policy
Our Music Director
James Anderson-Besant was appointed as our music director in 2023. He is already proving a very worthy successor to the inspirational Christopher Gray who worked with us for fifteen years before taking up his appointment as DoM at St. John's College, Cambridge. James's lively and dynamic rehearsal style makes for hugely enjoyable and challenging singing. We are much enjoying our exciting first season!
Our repertoire
The choir has performed music spanning over four hundred years, from Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers to Paul Drayton's Passion of Christ as told by Mark the Evangelist, which was written in 2014 and was given its first performance by Three Spires Singers in 2015. Other achievements include a centenary performance of George Lloyd's little known Symphonic Mass in 2013 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Martyn Brabbins and recorded for broadcast by BBC Radio 3, and two performances of Britten's War Requiem to mark the centenary of the start of World War One in November 2014.
The Singers have performed virtually all the major choral repertoire as well as much lesser known music, and have commissioned new works by David Briggs, Paul Comeau and Russell Pascoe, whose Secular Requiem was premiered in Truro in 2013 with a second performance at London's Cadogan Hall later the same year. In 2021 we commissioned an exciting and innovative new work by the internationally renowned composer Graham Fitkin to celebrate our 40th anniversary and we expect to continue commissioning new pieces as part of our valuable contribution to Cornwall's music scene.
Who we perform with
The Three Spires Orchestra comprises professional musicians mainly from Cornwall and Devon. We have also performed with Charivari Agréable, the Amadeus Orchestra, the London Musicians Orchestra, and (in December 2015) with Devon Baroque. Soloists in recent concerts have included nationally renowned singers such as Mark Padmore, Grace Davidson, Gavan Ring, Elizabeth Llewellyn, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, David Butt Philip, David Stout, Stephen Roberts and Sarah Fox.
Three Spires Singers is a choral society which relishes a challenge, has immense drive and professionalism, and adds something very special to the musical life of the South-West.
Lora Wicks, Chair of Three Spires Singers
