Sam Corkin, Jamie Rogers, The Choir of Canterbury Cathedral & David Newsholme
Biography Sam Corkin, Jamie Rogers, The Choir of Canterbury Cathedral & David Newsholme
Sam Corkin
studied for a Master’s and later an Artist Fellowship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In demand as a recitalist, Sam has played at concert halls and cathedrals across the country and performs annually at the Victoria International Arts Festival in Malta. He has collaborated with numerous choirs including the BBC Singers as part of the Hull City of Culture. This performance was recorded by Radio 3.
Sam’s interest in promoting new music has led to a significant contribution to the repertoire for solo saxophone and choir. To date, he has commissioned and premiered over thirty new works for this genre. His debut album, Drop Down, Ye Heavens, was a collaboration with acclaimed vocal group, Siglo de Oro, and reached a national audience on radio. The album received plaudits from critics and was described as 'vividly executed' (BBC Music Magazine) and 'so invigorating' (Gramophone).
The Choir of Canterbury Cathedral
comprises two separate treble lines of up to 25 boy choristers (aged 8-13) and 25 girl choristers (aged 12-18), as well as 12 professional adult singers, known as Lay Clerks. These musicians continue a centuries-old tradition of singing at the Cathedral that dates back to its foundation by St Augustine in 597AD. The Choir’s repertory ranges from early plainchant to music commissioned from leading contemporary composers.
The Choir’s central purpose is to sing at the daily services which take place at the Cathedral. These services are broadcast live on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel, and are appreciated by a substantial global audience. As the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, and as the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, many special occasions take place at the Cathedral at which the Choir plays a central role. In 2022, it sang at the fifteenth Lambeth Conference, a decennial gathering of Anglican Bishops from around the globe.
Parallel to its liturgical work, the Choir pursues a varied programme of recordings, concerts and tours. It has performed extensively throughout the USA and in Europe, and at music festivals in the UK. The Choir has collaborated with various leading ensembles, including The English Concert, Fretwork, The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts and The London Mozart Players. It has recorded for a number of high-profile labels, including Decca Records, Signum Classics and Accent Records.
David Newsholme
is Director of Music at Canterbury Cathedral, where he is responsible for training the Choir, and for all other musical aspects of the Cathedral’s work. David was educated as a chorister at Worcester Cathedral. He held the organ scholarship at Salisbury Cathedral before studying at New College, Oxford, and at the University of York. David was Assistant Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College, before moving to Canterbury in 2011 to become Assistant Organist. In 2014 he became founding Director of the Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir, before taking up his current post in 2021.
