Patrick Hawes founded Conventus in 2002, primarily to record the music for his highly successful debut album Blue in Blue. Some of the original sixteen singers already had a high profile on the choral music scene, notably Janet Coxwell who assisted Patrick in auditioning a wide range of talented postgraduate students. The result was a choir with an engagingly pure and honest tone. Over the last few years, Rob Johnston has taken over the choir’s management and various newcomers have joined the ranks, bringing with them their own particular expertise and a genuine commitment to the group’s activities. Conventus performed at the premiere of Patrick’s Lazarus Requiem at The Cadogan Hall in March 2008.