Formerly known as Cumbria Rural Choirs, Cumbria Singers was launched in May 2022.
An annual concert where the programme primarily consists of large-scale choral works, led by a professional conductor and accompanied by professional musicians, continues to be the major feature of its activities. This provides participants with the opportunity to enjoy an experience which smaller choirs, with greater financial constraints and smaller numbers, are unlikely to be able to offer. Since the re-launch the annual concert has been performed in Carlisle Cathedral. This splendid historical setting provides the appropriate spiritual context to complement the themes of the choral works. Upcoming events
Each season an internationally renowned conductor leads the choir rehearsals as our Music Director as well as conducting the concert.
Matthew Owens was appointed in 2024 and will continue to be the Music Director and Conductor for the 2025-26 Season.
The British Sinfonietta, accompanies the choir and soloists for the concert performance. This is one of the UK’s leading independent professional orchestras. They are experienced performers in classical and choral concerts, televised events, studio recording sessions and film screenings with live soundtracks. The orchestra is convened by Dave Danford, of Absolute Music Services.
When an organ accompaniment is required, this is provided by Edward Taylor, the assistant organist and director of the Consort at Carlisle Cathedral. Edward is in high demand as a concert organist, accompanist and chamber musician.
Soloists for the performance are professionals drawn from across the UK. They are usually invited to sing at the concert by our Music Director of the season. (Hyperlink to examples of soloists- see examples in 2025 concert review (our legacy) )
Our rehearsal accompanist will continue to be David T Shingler, a young highly talented musician, who joined us for the 2023-24 season.
This unique blend of amateur choral singers led and supported by professional musicians, leads to concert performances which reach an exceptionally high standard. It enhances the vocal accomplishment and confidence of the choir and delights our audiences. This achievement is reflected in the concert reviews that have been written by independent reviewers (hyper links to reviews 2023/2024/2025 in Our Legacy).
Through its communication networks with other choirs and arts venues across the region, Cumbria Singers helps to strengthen the links between cultural groups. Its members are regularly informed about other musical events taking place across the county, which they are encouraged to attend/ participate.
Chair Margaret Riches chair@cumbria-rural-choirs.org.uk
Treasurer Clive Riches treasurer@cumbria-rural-choirs.org.uk
Secretary Ann Bishop
Geoff Bowles
Eileen Dunning
Margaret Ferriby
Felicity Payne
Carl Thomson
Safeguarding Officer
Jackie Wright
Previously, he was the director of music at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, and Wells Cathedral. Under his leadership, Wells Cathedral Choir was named by an international jury for Gramophone as the best choir in the world with children, and the sixth greatest overall. From 2019-2022, he was Director of Music of Belfast Cathedral, where he re-established the choir as a professional adult ensemble, winning international acclaim for its work: “it could well be the finest all-adult standing choir of its kind anywhere, with near-perfect vowel harmony, blend, enunciation, nuanced awareness of phrase and an exceptional, bright and pure soprano group.” (Gramophone).
He has guest conducted, among others, the London Mozart Players, Ulster Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, Nash Ensemble, and the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. As a conductor he has made over 30 CDs with major labels, and now records exclusively for the award-winning label, Resonus Classics. He has directed choral workshops and summer schools throughout the UK and abroad – including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the USA.
As an organist, Matthew has given recitals in Australia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the USA, and throughout the UK. Matthew has championed new music, particularly of British composers, conducting over 200 world premieres, including works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to Sir James MacMillan. As a composer himself, Matthew is published by Oxford University Press and Novello.
A word from Matthew