AMPLEFORTH College will assemble the largest choir in its recent history for a concert to celebrate 50 years of its renowned Schola Cantorum this weekend.

On March 9, at 7pm, 100 singers from the Schola Cantorum, alumni of the College, and the Ampleforth & Ryedale Concert Choir will perform Mozart’s Requiem in the Abbey Church, accompanied by an orchestra of college pupils and professional musicians.

The Schola Cantorum was established in 1970 at the request of the late Cardinal Basil Hume, former teacher at the college, Abbot of Ampleforth, and Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. His aim was to help preserve the singing of music written for the Roman Catholic Church (along with the best examples from other traditions) in the context for which it was written, the celebration of Mass. This remains at the heart of the Schola’s mission in addition to its wider repertoire.

Over its 50-year history, the Schola Cantorum has made multiple recordings and many of its members have gone on to choral scholarships at prestigious universities. This performance of Mozart’s Requiem will include many of its most celebrated former members, whose ranks include professional opera singers, composers, music producers, organists and music journalists.

The choir is also known for its tours to Eastern Europe in the 1970s and 1980s during the time of communism, where it offered hope to Christians under persecution and suppression. This tradition of touring both abroad and in the UK continues today, with the current members of the Schola Cantorum singing at the Vatican during Holy Week 2023, Vigil Mass at Westminster Cathedral in January, Evensong in Ripon Cathedral in February, and Handel’s Messiah in Cadogan Hall in April.

The Ampleforth and Ryedale Concert Choir was established via an initiative by the music department of Ampleforth College and is open to all who live in the local community in Ryedale and beyond. Their ongoing partnership with the Schola Cantorum includes a sell-out performance of Handel’s Messiah every Christmas.

Ampleforth College’s director of music, Edward Seymour, said: “After 50 years, the Schola has remained steadfast in its service to the college, abbey, and local community and in so doing remains one of the greatest assets and draws to the college. We are delighted to be celebrating this anniversary together with all those who join us to hear our magnificent combined choirs. Music will always be the jewel in the Ampleforth crown. May it go from strength to strength.”

Tickets priced £15 or £7.50 for under-25s are available at www.trybooking.com/uk/CYZE.