ChoralCast with St Martin’s Voices

In this episode of ChoralCast, Sophie and Beth meet harpist Alis Huws, the new Artist-in-Residence with St Martin’s Voices.
Alis shares the story of how she came to play the harp, from growing up in Wales to becoming a professional musician, and reveals some of the surprising realities of life as a harpist, from the seven pedals beneath the instrument to the challenges of transporting a full-sized concert harp.
The conversation explores the unique relationship between harp and voice, the importance of breath, resonance and musical colour, and the challenges composers face when writing for the instrument. Alis also talks about her work bringing music into schools, healthcare settings and the wider community, as well as her passion for Welsh music and traditions.
Looking ahead to her residency, Alis discusses exciting plans with St Martin’s Voices, including new commissions, classic repertoire such as Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, and the possibility of exploring Welsh choral music. Sophie and Beth also reflect on what they learned from the conversation, and why there is much more to the harp than its angelic reputation suggests.

In this episode of ChoralCast, Sophie chats with acclaimed cellist and Artistic Director Adrian Bradbury about the Music in the Burnhams Festival in North Norfolk, where St Martin's Voices will open this year's festival.
Adrian shares the story behind the festival, exploring how it combines world-class performances with a strong sense of local community. From beautiful historic churches and welcoming villages to collaborations with local schools and volunteers, Music in the Burnhams is about far more than concerts. It's a celebration of music, heritage and place.
The conversation also shines a light on the fascinating 19th-century composer Julius Benedict, whose music forms the artistic focus of this year's festival. Adrian explains why Benedict deserves renewed recognition and how the festival is bringing his work back to audiences alongside music by composers including Weber, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.
We explore the background to St Martin's Voices opening performance, a special Evensong featuring excerpts from Benedict's The Legend of St Cecilia.
Whether you're a festival enthusiast, a choral music lover, or simply curious about the people and stories behind classical music, this episode offers an inspiring look at how music can bring communities together.

In this episode of ChoralCast, we turn our focus to the rich legacy of Great Sacred Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields, our weekly Thursday lunchtime series. Sophie is joined by Christine Smith, former Publishing Director of Canterbury Press, for an engaging conversation about the recently published Great Sacred Music book. Together, they explore the vision behind the series, the role it has played in shaping the interaction of words and music, and the process of bringing this publication to life.
All are welcome to Great Sacred Music every Thursday at 1pm in St Martin's, or watch on St Martin’s Facebook page or on our StMartins.Digital site.
For details of the Great Sacred Music book, visit https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786225733/great-sacred-music

In this episode of ChoralCast, Sophie is joined by her friend Beth to explore St. Martin’s Voices’ Choral Discovery Concerts series - accessible, one-hour concerts designed to introduce audiences to new and lesser-known choral repertoire. They dive into the recent concert Illuminations, which featured an unusual and striking collaboration between choir and saxophone.
The conversation unpacks how this pairing challenges traditional expectations of choral music, blending influences from medieval plainsong to 20th-century works, including a reimagined version of Gershwin’s Summertime. Along the way, they discuss what choral music typically sounds like, why innovation matters, and what makes these concerts approachable for newcomers.
The episode also features interviews with arrangers Iain Farrington and Freddie Crowley, alongside saxophonist Huw Wiggin, offering insight into the creative process behind this unique musical experience.

In this edition of ChoralCast, Sophie meets National Gallery educator Dr Tilly Scantlebury, alongside members of St Martin’s Voices, to explore the rich dialogue between visual art and choral music. Together, they reflect on how paintings can inspire sound, atmosphere, and emotional response.
Drawing connections between imagery, colour, light, and texture, they consider how choral music can mirror what we see on the gallery walls - and, in turn, reveal new layers of meaning in both art forms.
Featuring conversation, musical insight, and reflections on repertoire performed in this unique setting, this episode invites listeners to experience the National Gallery in a different way: not just as a place of looking, but of listening.
Do join us for our next Friday Lates at the National Gallery on Friday 23rd January at 6.15pm exploring the works of Edouard Manet.

Welcome to our second ChoralCast! Join us for our Christmas episode as we discuss our new album, A Babe is Born, with Director of Music Andrew Earis, composer Grace-Evangeline Mason and singer George Cook, a member of St Martin's Voices.

Welcome to our very first ChoralCast! Join us as we talk to our two new composers-in-association, Bob Chilcott and Lucy Walker, about their creative journeys, what inspires their music, and how they’re bringing fresh energy to the world of choral singing.