Sam Mitchell is an Australian, Oxford-based countertenor and pianist. He has performed with many leading groups includingTenebrae, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, TheOxford Bach Soloists, andThe Norwegian Soloists’ Choir. Solo highlights include Bach’s St Matthew Passion withEboracum Baroque, Haydn’s Nelson Mass withInstruments of Time and Truth and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb in the Royal Opera House, Oman. For six years, he was a Lay Clerk in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. As a pianist, Sam is a founding member of the contemporary music collective Nonsemble, with whom he has presented at TEDx, and featured on New York’s WNYC show “New Sounds” on multiple occasions. Performance highlights include John Adams’ Phrygian Gates for Orchestra VOX’s spotlight recital series and opening the Extended Play Festival at Sydney’s City Recital Hall. In May 2024, he released an EP of new commissions through Corella Records.

1. How long have you been a member of Ex Cathedra and why did you join?

I first sang with Jeffrey and Ex Cathedra back in 2014 as a participant at the Dartington International Summer School. I’ve been singing with the group since I moved to the UK from Australia in 2016.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

There’s no such thing as a typical day! On the singing front, the other main group I perform with (aside from Ex Cathedra) is the Mogens Dahl Kammerkor in Copenhagen. I also pop up in various choirs and consorts all over the place. I dep a lot in the Oxford Colleges as well as St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. On the piano side, I teach in two amazing schools in Oxfordshire, as well as working as a freelance pianist, accompanist and repetiteur.

3. If you could choose to perform again any piece you have performed before with Ex Cathedra, what would it be, and & why?

There are so many to choose from! But only because it’s fresh in the memory, I had the best time singing Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil. There’s something so personal about this music. The textures and harmonies are absolutely sublime.

4. What’s your musical “guilty secret”?

When I’m not performing, I absolutely love cooking and doing a spot of home brewing (last year’s sloe port was probably the best thing I’ve ever made!). I also love getting out onto the squash court whenever I can.