Concerts & Repertoire

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Cecilia McDowall

One of the most evocative pieces in this exciting performance is by the renowned British Composer Cecilia McDowall. A setting of one of the seven Advent 'O' Antiphons, O Oriens makes use of luxurious and exotic harmonies, creating a shimmering texture reminiscent of the biblical Morning Star referenced in the title. The focus on human enlightenment in winter's darkness means the piece is equally suitable for secular celebrations of Christmas. It was commissioned for the Choir of Merton College, Oxford, and in 2013 was shortlisted for a British Composer Award.

Born in 1951, McDowall, a long-time collaborator of Artistic Director Dominic Ellis-Peckham, has been described by the International Record Review as having a 'communicative gift that is very rare in modern music. Her work is often inspired by extra-musical influences and combines rhythmic vitality with expressive lyricism. In 2017 McDowall was selected for an Honorary Fellow award by the Royal School of Church Music.

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Ben Parry

Perhaps the most poigniant and reflective piece in the inaurgural performance by Suffolk Chamber Choir is from Suffolk-born Conductor, Singer and Composer - Ben Parry.

To be sung 'like a mantra', Ben Parry's Lighten our Darkness is a meditation on the Third Collect for Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. It was written for the annual concert for Gift of Sight, a charity supporting research at the University of Southampton into the treatment of blinding eye diseases.

Ben Parry has a busy career as a conductor, composer, arranger, singer and producer. He is currently Director of the professional choir, London Voices. He was formerly Director of Music at St Paul's School and the Junior Royal Academy of Music in London and Assistant Director of Music of King's College, Cambridge from 2013 to 2021. With soundtracks of major films such as The Hobbit, Avengers and Harry Potter. London Voices performed the premiere of Stockhausen's Mittwoch for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in Birmingham Festival and Berio's Sinfonia with the National Youth Orchestra in 2009, at the BBC Proms in 2014 and 2018 and most recently in Alicante, Spain in February 2025.

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Melissa Dunphy

I hear the text as relevant far beyond its liturgical purpose; it becomes a plaintive call for light in the form of love, knowledge, and peace both in the world and within each of us personally, particularly for those of us who have suffered from depression or grief

The text of O Oriens focuses on the themes of light and enlightenment. Dunphy has fused the traditional plainsong setting as the inspiration, spreading the chant through the voices and weaving beautiful harmonic changes to create something very modern but with ancient roots.

Dunphy was born in Australia and emigrated to USA in 2003. She has a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.M. from West Chester University and is on faculty at Rutgers University. Her works have been performed by The King's Singers and VOCES8 and have featured in the Proms.

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Louise Marshall

I am a quirky musician who loves the experimental craziness that comes with the harmonious stories in my head

Primarily a performer, Marshall's output spans multiple genres. She is most famous for headlining with Jools Holland but has also performed with such iconic singers as Beverley Knight, Chaka Khan, Michael Ball, Paul Weller. Earlier in her career, Louise was in several West End shows and sang in choirs including Adiemus, with Karl Jenkins, and with John Rutter.

As a composer and arranger, Marshall's influences in jazz and gospel are clear. Precious Lord is a luscious arrangement, showcasing gospel harmonies, cross-rhythms and syncopation. It combines the exhilaration of a funky arrangement with the soulful and respectful treatment of the prayer by Thomas A Dorsey, which is a cry for help during tragic times.