The start of a new year is always exciting and for Ipswich Choral Society especially as they welcomed their new Music Director Chris Borrett. Chris is well-known in Ipswich having been appointed Director of Music at Ipswich Minster in 2015, where he trains the choristers, recruiting them through workshops from over fifteen local schools.
After studying music at New College Oxford, Chris sang professionally in London and across the world. He was a member of the Monteverdi Choir and a founding member of the Marian Consort. Chris also directs the Ipswich Minster Chamber Choir. His work also incorporates choir training, singing, composing, and working as a singing teacher in the Ipswich area.
Over the last 10 years, the Choir of Ipswich Minster has featured on Classic FM’s Drivetime Discovery of the Week for their carol recording of The Road to Bethlehem. In January 2022, the choir also broadcast Choral Matins live on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship programme. Recently, they recorded Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve for the Church of England’s YouTube broadcast. The choir has recently recorded Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Foundling Hospital Anthem which will be officially released in April 2025.
Chris is excited to be working with Ipswich Choral Society and becoming part of an active and energetic choir committed to presenting choral music to a high standard. “It is a great honour to be appointed the new Director of Music of the venerable Ipswich Choral Society. Musically this is a wonderful opportunity for me to work with new and enthusiastic people in Ipswich and explore a bigger choral repertoire. I have witnessed both from afar and close-up (as a soloist), the wonderful contribution the group makes to the vibrant music scene here in Ipswich and East Suffolk.
Furthermore, my family and I love this part of the world and all it offers culturally. I have worked in Ipswich for the past 15 years and am very happy here. I look forward to making more wonderful music in this fantastic town.”
Chris will be directing the choir this term towards a special performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Halifax Choral Society on 12th April in Halifax Minster. For the summer term, the focus shifts to rousing choral classics to be performed at the Ipswich Charter825 Festival concert in June, celebrating the 825th anniversary of the Ipswich Charter granted by King John.
Phil Powditch, Chair of Ipswich Choral Society, gave Chris a warm welcome on behalf of choir members at the first rehearsal of term: “It was a great pleasure welcoming our new Musical Director Chris Borrett at our first full rehearsal of term, working on Bach’s St Matthew Passion. Speaking to Chris, it is clear he is really passionate about the Arts in Ipswich and highly respected by many in the Arts scene in town. I’m sure we will forge a very fruitful relationship and everyone at Ipswich Choral Society is looking forward to working with him.”