Chamber Choir
Rehearsals take place every Tuesday between 07:30 pm – 09:30 pm at the School of Music Rehearsal Hall (term time only).
For any queries, reach out to us at luums.c.choir@gmail.com.
About Chamber Choir
Chamber Choir is LUUMS’ auditioned vocal ensemble consisting of 16-20 singers, all who share a passion for choral singing. We aim to perform a wide variety of repertoire from early renaissance polyphony to contemporary music by diverse, living composers.
Chamber Choir is a unique opportunity to meet a group of likeminded people whilst at university. We perform in termly concerts with LUUMS as well additional performance opportunities, including features on Channel 5 and with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra for Tileyard North’s Christmas celebrations. At the end of each year, we embark on a European Tour to locations such as Krakow, Amsterdam, Prague and Dublin.
Our rehearsals are Tuesdays 19:30-21:30 in the School of Music basement followed by a trip to the pub!
Meet the Chamber Choir team
Conductor
Cecily Graham
Cess Graham is a postgraduate performance student based in Edinburgh, originally from Kent. She has a deep passion for choral singing and conducting and has had the privilege of performing in iconic venues such as Westminster Abbey and the Menin Gate in Belgium. During her undergraduate studies, she held a choral scholarship at Leeds Cathedral and enjoyed singing with ensembles including Leeds Baroque.
Singing in the LUUMS Chamber Choir has been a meaningful part of her degree, filled with fond memories of concerts and tours to Amsterdam and Dublin. Cess is committed to undertaking the role of conductor, carrying forward the legacy of the inspiring conductors she has learned from during her time at Leeds. She is excited to explore a diverse choral repertoire, from early music and sacred works to contemporary pieces by living composers.
Alongside conducting, Cess is passionate about mindfulness and wellbeing, serving as Welfare Officer for LUUMS this coming year. She aims to cultivate a positive and supportive ensemble environment, believing that a strong sense of community enriches both the musical experience and the quality of performance.
Managers
Lilian Sztankov
Lilian is from Hungary and has just finished her masters year in Music and Music Psychology and is about to begin her PGCE year in secondary music teaching. She has been involved with music since she learning the piano at 5 years old, gaining her ARSM diploma in December 2018 and her Grade 8 singing shortly after. She also played violin in youth orchestras and took part in youth theatre.
Lilian has always had a passion for choral works and anthems as well as musical theatre which she has honed throughout her University life by taking part in Chamber Choir in her second and final year as well as musical directing and conducting experience in Stage Musicals Society. She also enjoys accompanying on the piano and carolling in the weeks leading up to Christmas with Chamber choir. With committee experience at hand, Lilian is excited to be part of the managing side of a choir she has loved to be a part of and is excited for the year to come!
Oliver MacKinnon
Oli is a third-year English Student from St. Albans with a special love for memoir and biography. A member of Chamber Choir since the start of his time at university, he can’t wait to manage the ensemble alongside Cess and Lilian. Throughout his time in Leeds so far, Oli has managed Symphonic Choir and held the role of Wellbeing and Inclusivity Officer.
Alongside managing Chamber Choir, he is also this year’s Events Secretary, and amongst the chaos, will be attempting to complete the final year of his degree. Oli has always been passionate about singing, taking part in a variety of different styles, from choral groups to rock choirs to full-blown musical productions. One of his favourite musical experiences was an impromptu performance in the deepest chapel in the world (in the Wieliczka Salt Mine) on CC tour 2024.
Leeds University Union Music Society 