From the 14th-century chapel of Oxford to the great concert halls of the 21st century, the sound of the Choir of New College Oxford has long been regarded as the very emblem of the English choral tradition.

This world-renowned ensemble—boasting over six hundred years of unbroken history—will visit China for the very first time:

📍 Dec 30, 2025 – Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall

📍 Jan 2, 2026 – National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing

Six Centuries of Choral Tradition from Oxford

When William of Wykeham founded New College in 1379, choral singing stood at the heart of collegiate life. 

It was here that the English chorister tradition took root—a distinctive combination of boys’ voices with adult singers, later adopted by collegiate choirs across Europe.

For more than six hundred years, the daily singing at New College never ceased. It carried medieval chant into the Renaissance, survived the turmoil of the Reformation, and accompanied the evolution of British music into the modern age.

Few choirs in the world maintain such historical continuity while performing at an elite international level.

Elite training · An exceptional structure

• The boys’ voices bring radiance and purity.• The adults add richness, depth, and resonance.

Choristers (ages 8–13) undergo up to five years of rigorous musical training, reaching the highest standards of British boy-choir performance.

Half of the adult singers are Oxford undergraduates, who sing in chapel services six days a week alongside their academic studies. The remaining members are young professional artists who view the choir as an artistic pinnacle.

This unique structure cultivates precision, focus, and an enduring appreciation of musical order.

From Oxford’s Chapels to the World Stage

In the twentieth century, the choir’s reputation expanded far beyond academia. Under the leadership of Edward Higginbottom, who served as Director of Music for more than three decades, the choir rose to international prominence:• Agnus Dei reached platinum status in the 1990s.• Over 100 recordings with Decca, Erato, Hyperion and other major labels.• Establishment of the Choir’s own label, Novum, in 2010.• Acclaimed recent releases with Linn Records under current Director of Music Robert Quinney.

Multiple Gramophone Classical Music Awards and regular performances at the BBC Proms have reinforced the Choir’s position as one of the world’s leading collegiate ensembles.

Artists

🎼Artistic Director & Conductor: Robert Quinney

Director of Music at New College, Oxford; organist and scholar.Former organ scholar of King’s College, Cambridge and Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey, where he performed at the Royal Wedding.Renowned for his blend of scholarly depth and expressive musicality, Quinney’s recordings span Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works, representing the clarity and power of the English choral tradition.

🎹 Organ Soloist / Piano Accompanist: Hugh Rowlands

Assistant Organist of The Queen’s Chapel of the Tower of London; Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford.A Cambridge graduate, Rowlands performs widely across major festivals and concert halls in the UK and Europe.Equally gifted as a soloist and collaborator, he has worked with the London Contemporary Orchestra and Icelandic duo Jónsi & Alex, embodying an artistic spirit that bridges classical and modern worlds.

🎟️ Concert Information

Shanghai

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 · 19:30📍Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall (Main Hall)

Beijing

Friday, January 2, 2026 · 19:30📍National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing (Concert Hall)QR Code for Tickets