We’re delighted to see that our latest CD A French Baroque Diva: Arias for Marie Fel with Carolyn Sampson and Hyperion Records is a Finalist for the Opera Awards 2015 in the ‘CD (Operatic Recital) category. It has also been shortlisted for an International Classical Music Award in the Baroque Vocal category. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
A New Year OBE for Jeffrey
Everyone at Ex Cathedra was thrilled to learn that Jeffrey has been honoured with an OBE for services to choral music in the New Year’s Honours list. Many congratulations Jeffrey!
On learning this wonderful news, Jeffrey said: ‘It is a great personal honour for me to receive this award. It is also a tribute to the many groups and institutions I have worked with over a long period of time and in particular Ex Cathedra who has sustained a uniquely ambitious and high quality programme of choral music for almost half a century. I should like to thank all the many people and friends who have made this possible.’
‘this top notch choir’ – Bachtrack review of Messiah (7 Dec 2014)
Bachtrack have reviewed our concert of Handel’s Messiah, performed at Symphony Hall on Sunday 7 December.
‘the choir was on stunning form throughout. All sections were crisp, precise and beautifully balanced … this absorbing performance of Messiah made a delightful start to the festive season.’ (www.bachtrack.com)
‘a joy to hear’ – Birmingham Post review of Messiah (7 Dec 2014)
Britten to America CD nominated for a Grammy Award
We’re delighted that our Britten to America CD, to which we contributed two of Britten’s stage plays, has been nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award 2015. It is in a shortlist of 5 CDs for the ‘Best Classical Compendium’, category 80. The winners will be announced in Los Angeles on 8 February.
Rebecca Ledgard goes #BearFaced for Children in Need & Singing Medicine
Ex Cathedra’s Rebecca Ledgard, Director of Education, is one of 14 people selected by BBC Children in Need to 
front it’s #BearFaced campaign this year. 7 celebrities and people representing 7 projects were selected, and Rebecca is representing our Singing Medicine project which BBC Children in Need supports at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Rebecca joined celebrities Lorraine Kelly, Michelle Keegan, Olivia Colman, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Rochelle Humes, Laura Mvula, Ella Eyre and Tanya Burr in posing for renowned celebrity photographer Rankin.
Singing Medicine takes place every week on several wards at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and enables children with life-limiting conditions to participate in singing activities and experience the wider benefits of singing. You can learn more about Singing Medicine here.
And you can go #BearFaced yourself and support Children in Need’s campaign here.