The choir was formed in 1983
Abbey Gate College Chapel Choir was formed in 1983 by the first Director of Music, Stewart Smith. It began as a Chamber Choir of 15 members which has now expanded to a full membership of over 60.
The choir recorded its first CD in March 1997 in Chester Cathedral, which includes the Fauré Requiem, Zadok the Priest and the Hallelujah Chorus. The second CD ‘Bright the Vision’ was recorded in 1999. In celebration of Abbey Gate College’s 25th Anniversary a third CD was recorded in Chester Cathedral in 2003. A CD has been made from live performances made during the Choir’s 2006 tour of the Czech Republic and in October 2009 the choir recorded a CD of ‘Christmas Favourites’. The most recent CD was produced at the end of 2014 from live performances in Poland (2013) and Hereford Cathedral (2014).
The Choir has toured Holland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, France, the Czech Republic, Northern Italy including Venice, Belgium and the USA on two occasions. In the UK the choir has performed in most English Cathedrals which includes Hereford, Gloucester, Chichester, and York Minster. The choir has sung Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral London, annually since 1990 with the latest performance there being 9th April 2018. In July 2016 the choir toured Belgium and sang at the ‘Last Post Ceremony’ at the Menin Gate, Ypres. The tour continued to The Rhineland for further concerts. In summer 2018 the Choir sang the services in Ely Cathedral for a week, as well as singing in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.
The following videos show the Choir singing at St. John the Baptist Church in Aldford for the virtual 2020 Christmas Service.