Reading Phoenix Choir

05/06/2026

For today's we have Tristis est anima mea, a moving motet linked to Johann Kuhnau who died 304 years ago today. It begins with each voice coming in one after another on the word tristis (“sad”), creating a slow, tense build‑up. Later, the music comes together in clear, strong chords as the text becomes more dramatic. The whole piece follows the mood of the story, shifting from quiet sorrow to a sense of foreboding. The echoing acoustic of St Clement Danes made those contrasts sound especially powerful during Reading Phoenix Choir's peformance at the 2014 Brandenberg Festival.

The Reading Phoenix Choir sing Johann Kuhnau, Tristis est anima mea...

28/05/2026

It's and this week, Reading Phoenix choir are looking back to a concert in St Clement Danes in 2014 when the men sang Thomas Tallis's beautiful anthem, If ye love me. Written for Whitsunday (which is where we get our late May bank holiday) Tallis's setting of these words from the Gospel of John has been popular since it was first performed in the 1500s. This version may be slightly different from the one you have heard before, because here it is sung in C by only tenors and basses, rather than F, giving it a more mellow rich sound. We love it, and we think you will, too.

5 likes, 2 comments. "Tallis: If Ye Love Me - Reading Phoenix Choir"

27/05/2026

The UK is currently sweating in a massive heat wave and there is nothing we would like better than to be beside the seaside!

Here is some footage from our recent concert at St Paul's Church, Wokingham as we raised nearly £1400 for Dementia UK

25/05/2026

It's and tenor, Jason is here to introduce you to "You'll be back", from the musical Hamilton as sung by our Tenor and Bass sections. He may be slightly biased though...

21/05/2026

It's , and this Thursday we're remembering the life and music of Gustav Holst, who died in this week in 1934. The choir have sung many of Holst's compositions over the years, but today's recording from the archives features Paul Ayres' arrangement of ""I vow to thee my country"", the classic 1917 hymn containing the melody of Jupiter, from Holst's Planets Suite.

971 likes, 54 comments. "Holst arr Ayres: I Vow To Thee My Country - Reading Phoenix Choir"

20/05/2026

Wellbeing Wednesday!

As a choir we try to include a real variety of music in our repertoire, including plenty of pieces by women composers. Amy Beech (1867-1944) is best known for her orchestral works, but we love this simple, quiet, reflective setting of Peace I leave with you, sung here at St. Paul's Church, Wokingham on Saturday 9th May

20/05/2026

This we're fascinated to read that engagement with the Arts can slow the pace of biological aging! No wonder we're all so fresh faced and youthful!

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/12/arts-cultural-engagement-linked-slower-pace-biological-ageing-ucl-research?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR6vk9jbGNrBHq-K2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjoe0mgTu4DHloDOQDlvVeicI0NGnWnBpWubASr3Z8PFLGOJtwZhqBQf4MI4_aem_cLcKrfvadkksN6Ej_7NtfQ

Research from UCL suggests visiting art galleries or museums, singing and painting can help improve health outcomes

18/05/2026

New Music Monday: Let Alex, one of our basses, tell you why this arrangement of The Parting Glass is so special for him.

We sang it for the first time back in March, in our concert with Signature Singers, but we've already shared it with another audience since then and look forward to keeping it in our repertoire

14/05/2026

It's

This week we're celebrating the birthday of fabulous composer Sarah Quartel, and thinking back to two years ago when we recorded her piece, Amabile Alleluia.

It starts with a simple unaccompanied soprano Alleluia, before slowly growing in complexity and gaining momentum to a rousing finish.

Reading Phoenix Choir recorded Amabile Alleluia by Sarah Quartel in November 2023. This piece is included within the choir's concert programme for 'Women of ...

13/05/2026

This Mental Health Week, have you considered singing in a choir? It's a great way to express yourself, make new friends and release those happy hormones!