I am embarking on the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino Frances on 24 April. Starting my walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishing in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, I am hoping the journey will take me approximately 35 days based on an average of 15.5 miles per day.

Standish Consort was founded in December 2022 by OUS Gloucestershire members to encourage those in the area with a passion for singing to advance their musical knowledge and singing virtuosity in a chamber choir environment, lead by our young, enthusiastic conductor Mark Wilson . The choir has grown in strength with alumni from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and friends.

Since the choir’s formation we have had sell-out concerts, with recent performances including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Barber’s Agnus Dei, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Monteverdi’s Vespers. Most recently we performed Zelenka’s Missa Votiva, with Ensemble la Notte, the YouTube video of which garnered over 15,000 views in its first month. We have also sung evensongs at Pembroke College, Merton College, Worcester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral.

Our conductor Mark Wilson, Director of Music at Pembroke College Oxford, leads the choir with soloists drawn from members of the choir. We are often accompanied by George Charman, Organ Scholar at Pembroke College Oxford.

I am raising money for a Bursary to encourage young musicians from Oxford, and Cambridge Universities and others to join. Donations of any size are welcome.