Ex Cathedra is a leading UK choir and early music ensemble with a repertoire that reaches from the twelfth to the twenty-first centuries, via almost all points in between. It has become known for its passion for seeking out the best, the unfamiliar and the unexpected in the choral repertoire and for giving dynamic performances underpinned by detailed research. It comprises a choir, a consort of ten voices and a period instrument orchestra.

Since it was founded by Jeffrey Skidmore in 1969, the group has established a niche for the research and performance of neglected or little-known early music repertoire, and for ground-breaking re-examinations of choral classics. It is also acknowledged as a champion of contemporary choral composers, regularly commissioning new works and giving premieres.

Ex Cathedra presents its own series of concerts both in its home city of Birmingham, where it is a Town Hall Associate Artist, and in London. It is delighted to receive invitations to appear at festivals and concert series across the UK and abroad. Recent performances have included Stockhausen’s World Parliament for the London 2012 Festival and the BBC Proms in 2013, and tours to Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United States.

Much more than a choir, Ex Cathedra aims to share its knowledge, expertise and love of singing with as many people as possible through high quality performances, workshops, education and training initiatives not only in its home city of Birmingham, but also across the UK and internationally, and works with many thousands of children each year through a range of projects, including Singing Playgrounds and Singing Medicine.

Ex Cathedra gratefully acknowledges the public funding it receives from Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.