Talented St Mary's singers find festive success with Pembroke College Girls' Choir

Singing as part of Pembroke College Girls' Choir, Maryam G. (Music Captain, Year 13) and Tuppence J-Q. (Year 9) have featured in performances selected by Classic FM and Apple Music as this year's 'must have' festive anthems.

On 8 December, Classic FM shared a video of Pembroke College Cambridge Girls' Choir performing their own arrangement of the Christmas carol ‘Gaudete’ conducted by Anna Lapwood, Director of Music at Pembroke College.

Returning for their third album on Signum Classics, Anna Lapwood and The Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge present their first Christmas album featuring a wide range of festive repertoire from traditional carols to works by contemporary composers including Sir James MacMillan and Melissa Dunphy. In addition the album premieres three new works written by the Pembroke Girls’ Choir including an arrangement of the familiar carol Gaudete. Anna Lapwood is a trailblazing musician. Alongside her work as a conductor, Director of Music and public speaker, she performs an extensive number of organ recitals on some of the greatest instruments across Europe each season. In 2022 she was announced as Associate Artist of the Royal Albert Hall and Artist in Association at BBC Singers. Directed by Anna Lapwood, The Chapel Choir of Pembroke College has one of the most exciting and varied ranges of choral endeavours among Oxbridge choirs. Alongside their primary responsibility of contributing to worship in the College’s Chapel, they engage in regular artistic collaborations, media appearances and outreach. A Pembroke Christmas produced by The Choirs of Pembroke College, which includes three new works by the Girls' Choir. This third album by the Pembroke Choirs was recently selected by Apple Music as their featured Classical Christmas album for 2022, as Anna Lapwood celebrated on her Facebook page:

“When you find out @applemusic have chosen ‘A Pembroke Christmas’ as their featured Classical Christmas album…!! I confess their summary of the album made me cry: ‘Something special clearly happened during the recording sessions, sparked perhaps by the alchemy of music made by friends. The results are exquisitely beautiful and utterly enchanting.’ This is what choir is about." Anna Lapwood, Director of Music, Pembroke College Cambridge

Maryam G. first auditioned for and joined the Choir in 2018, alongside former St Mary's girl Gigi D. Now in Year 13, Maryam G is our Music Captain and she recently won the St Mary's Young Musician of the Year Competition. 

As Charlotte Avery comments: "Joining Pembroke College Girls' Choir is a fantastic opportunity for talented young musicians and one we whole-heartedly encourage them to pursue. It is an opportunity to perform with other young people to a level of excellence, guided and inspired by the very unique experience of being part of a College Choir."

Pembroke College Girls' Choir brings together girls age of 11-18 from schools around Cambridge, helping them experience life as a chorister in a Cambridge College. Based in the Chapel of Pembroke College, the Choir offers a comprehensive musical education, with rehearsals every Wednesday and Thursday after school, and a service of Choral Evensong on Thursdays. The Choir focuses on musical excellence and performs at a professional level on a weekly basis alongside regular concerts and tours.

Those seeking a festive musical treat will find A Pembroke Christmas includes both traditional carols and works by contemporary composers including Sir James MacMillan and Melissa Dunphy.

Perfect for getting in the festive spirit this year!

Image: Maryam G. practising the viola as part of her A Level studies

A Level Music at St Mary's