Cambridge college scraps church choir to make way for more diverse musical genres

A Cambridge college is embroiled in a row over plans to scrap an Anglican choir to make way for more diverse musical genres.

St John’s College announced that it will strip funding from church choir St John’s Voices as it plans to fund a “broader” range of music instead.

The mixed male and female choir will disband at the end of the current term.

The college will also cut down on the number of chapel services held at St John’s to use the space for “civic engagement”.

Members of the choir, which has made several recordings of sacred music, are understood to be dismayed by the news and are set to launch a petition to demand it is spared.

One student told The Telegraph: “St John’s College has a near 400-year history of choral music, only 10 of which have included women.

“The British choral tradition is something that St John’s should be leading, not diminishing.”

Choristers have not been informed which styles of music will be promoted instead and told The Telegraph that the process of the choir’s disbandment has not been transparent.

‘Very sad moment’

The decision emerged following a 2023 review of college activities by the St John’s leadership, which the choristers themselves have not seen.

The move to cut down on chapel services was also informed by the same internal review.

Messages seen by the Telegraph state: “Keeping Mondays free of regular services will allow other uses of the space and allow the Dean and Chaplain to progress student programmes for civic engagement and faith.”

St John’s Voices was founded in 2013 as a choir that female students could join, complementing the long-standing St John’s College Choir, which has itself now begun to admit women and girls.

The director of the choir is a paid role currently held by Graham Walker, whose position is understood to be in doubt.

In a message to choristers, the college said: “Council appreciates that this is a very sad moment for the St John’s Voices.

“Your recording over the last three days will no doubt be a fitting tribute to the high standard the choir has achieved under Graham’s excellent and dedicated leadership.

“I am sorry to send such an unwelcome message, and it comes with sincere appreciation of your contribution to our College and Chapel.”