Oxford's new choral professor wins Gramophone award
25 September 2008
Oxford University has appointed the first Choral Professor in a UK university and is also celebrating a prestigious choral award.
Professor Edward Higginbottom, of Oxford University's Music Faculty, will begin his role next term, in addition to his work with the New College Choir. It is the first time Oxford has had a Choral Professor.
And Professor Higginbottom marks his appointment by announcing that New College Choir has won a prestigious Gramophone award in its 'Early Music' category.
He said of his appointment: 'This shows choral music is a fully integrated part of the academic activity of the University, supported by our unique college structures for music in chapel, and particularly by the provision made by the three choral foundations in Oxford (Christ Church, Magdalen and New College).
'It affirms the work done in these environments, combining performance, research and education and training (of student singers). The value of this activity has long been recognised and admired across the world, and it's pleasing that Oxford has also recognised its merits and standing.'
Edward Higginbottom was appointed Director of Music at New College in 1976 at the unusually young age of 29. His work at Oxford is divided between directing New College Choir, tutoring New College undergraduates and lecturing in the Faculty of Music, where he teaches performance practice alongside other specialisms.
Under his direction, the Choir has achieved international recognition and has brought choral music of high quality to an increasingly wide-ranging public through more than 70 recordings and many concerts in this country and abroad.
This has been rewarded in the Gramophone award the Choir has received. It is for their recording of music by Nicholas Ludford (early 16th century). The awards are international and cover a whole range of categories covered by the music magazine.
Professor Higginbottom said: "We are delighted at this news as the Gramophone awards are widely considered to be among the most prestigious in the recording industry. It's particularly pleasing to get one of these since it recognises that choristers (aged 10-13) can sing as well as adults, and that also our academical clerks are the equal of 'hardened' professionals. It says much about the potential and capacity of the choral tradition and practice in Oxford that this level of success can be achieved."
The choir's latest release is a recording of Haydn's The Creation, which is collaboration between New College Choir and the Oxford Philomusica. It is the first time there has ever been recorded collaboration between a college choir and Oxford University's Orchestra in Residence.
Professor Edward Higginbottom is available for interview. Please contact the Oxford University Press Office on press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk or 01865 270046 for more information.