Ex Cathedra

04/09/2026

28/08/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱?

In 1588, amid the upheaval of the Reformation and the threat of the Spanish Armada, William Byrd fought an artistic battle, writing his ‘Reasons to Sing’, arguing for music’s spiritual and physical benefits.

400 years later this subject is as urgent as ever, inspiring a conference at the University of Birmingham (link in first comment for more information) – which features this hour-long concert of Jeffrey’s Top Ten most beautiful, spiritual pieces.

Programme includes:
Byrd Ave verum
Britten A Hymn to the Virgin
Joubert There is no rose
Lobo Versa est in luctum
Sheppard Our Father
Whitacre Sleep
Williams O Adonai

13/08/2026

Whilst our 2025-26 season has now come to an end, the Ex Cathedra team have been looking back at all of the amazing concerts, education, recording, and hospitals work that took place over the past year.

2026-27 is jam-packed and we can't wait to get started!

Let us know in the comments what you're most looking forward to in the new season with Ex Cathedra👇

07/08/2026

Birmingham freelancers, this funding opportunity might be of interest.

Check it out in this post from the John Feeney Charitable Trust!

Are you a Brummie with a bold vision for the arts, heritage or green spaces?

Applications for the 2026 Feeney Fellowship are open!

We’re offering up to £5,000 to help you take the next step in your career.
You may be developing your creative practice, exploring new ideas, building new skills, connecting with inspiring people, or taking your work in a completely new direction.

Whether you’re a choreographer ready to create your next big piece, a conservator passionate about inspiring future generations, or a horticulturalist with a vision for greener, more biodiverse spaces, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓️ Application deadline: 30 September 2026, 5.00pm (sharp!)
📍 Eligibility: You must live in Birmingham and have at least three years of professional experience.
✨ We’re looking for ambitious, transformative ideas that could make a lasting difference to your practice or career.

Apply now 👉 https://www.feeneytrust.org.uk/fellowships



Photo Credit : 2024 Feeney Fellow
‘Assistive Objects’, 2025; leather, wood (walnut and padouk), food waste (avocado skins), welded aluminium, stainless steel. Photography Chelsea Abbott

03/08/2026

"...Ex Cathedra performed Rachmaninov’s Vespers (1915), conducted by its founder-director Jeffrey Skidmore in his last season. He has a close affinity with Rachmaninov’s sacred composition, based on Russian Orthodox chants. Skidmore’s unflagging determination, since the 1980s, to find a good performing edition has helped bring this atmospheric work to wider recognition. The magnificent fortissimos, with the choir sometimes divided into as many as 11 parts and here handling it with aplomb, rang out thrillingly in the cathedral’s slow reverberation.”

Fiona Maddocks for The Observer

Full review: https://observer.co.uk/music/classical/article/three-choirs-festival-evensong-that-lights-up-the-dusk

28/07/2026

"The performance by Ex Cathedra was superb... an idiomatic and memorable performance of Rachmaninov's masterpiece"

To read the whole review of our concert at this year's Three Choirs Festival, pop over to our website and find it under "News & Media" or find the link in the first comment below 👀

📸: Ex Cathedra

27/07/2026

We had a great day bringing Rachmaninoff Vespers to Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester - what a wonderful way to finish the season!



We had a great day bringing Rachmaninoff Vespers to Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester - what a wonderful way to finish the season!



The team gathered in these famous cloisters before taking to the stage!

24/07/2026

And to round out this week, we welcome the 5 graduate scholars joining the 2026-27 cohort.

Congratulations to Sophie, Alice, Sarah, Michael and Barney!

To learn more about our fantastic team of scholars, check out the scholars page on our website.

23/07/2026

Today we're pleased to introduce you to the 2026-27 season enhanced student scholars, Will and Tom.

Welcome back and congratulations, both!

22/07/2026

Continuing with brilliant Birmingham partnerships, today we're welcoming the 2026-27 student scholars from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Congrats and welcome to Evelyn, Emma, Jessica, and Josh!