Affiliated with the Cardiff University Music Society
Andrew Martin
Founding Member
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A founding member of the Palestrina Singers of Cardiff University, Andrew is currently a Gentleman-in-Ordinary at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace and a freelance singer with various choirs, alongside teaching singing in South West London. He was a Choral Scholar at Portsmouth Cathedral where alongside his duties with the Cathedral he performed with local choirs. Notable performances include soloist in Stainer's Crucifixion and Monteverdi's Vespers. He read music at Cardiff University where he performed with the Cardiff University Chamber Choir, Cardiff University Symphony Chorus, Côr Cyfoes and was a Choral Scholar at St David’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Cardiff. Notable solo performances include The Cold genius and Aelous in Henry Purcell's King Arthur and the bass soloist in the Haydn's Theresienmesse. Whilst at Cardiff he founded the Palestrina singers of Cardiff University and was the manager and artistic director of the group.
"I founded the Palestrina Singers of Cardiff University in the second year of my undergraduate at Cardiff. In my first year I had sung with all the choirs at the University, Côr Cyfoes (a choir that only performed music composed by both University and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama students) and the choir at St. David's Metrepolitan Cathedral, Cardiff. During my studies, I noticed that there was not a student-led vocal ensemble performing early music to a high standard and so thus The Palestrina Singers of Cardiff University was born. The ensemble started as an octet, and then before long it developed into a 22-strong chamber ensemble. At the time I believed the increasing intake of singers to be down to the ensemble's informal and friendly dynamic, whilst perfoming beautiful music to a exceptionally high standard. David and I ran the choir together for two years, as well as running The Cardiff University Purcell Singers together at the same time. Perhaps my love for early music (having completed my undergraduate dissertation on the choral music of the English Reformation), the choir started with the intention on doing as much early and obscure music as possible. Running the Palestrina Singers with David was one of the most rewarding things at University, and I am very proud that it is going from strength to strength."
Founding Member
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"When I began conducting the Palestrina Singers of Cardiff University in January 2010, it was not only the start of a process that would see a group of passionate early music singers evolve into a well-respected chamber choir at the very forefront of music-making at Cardiff University, but also very much the beginnings of my own journey as a conductor. From local beginnings to a strong reputation amongst Anglican cathedrals across the UK, it was always my aim to push the choir forward in its journey, maintain high standards and a wide repertoire, and provide the best opportunities to showcase the wonderful talent I have been lucky enough to direct.
With the support of successive choir managers, each with unique vision and ambition to take the choir forward, I have been honoured to conduct the Palestrina Singers at such prestigious events as: the Llandaff Cathedral Choral Festival; evensong services at Hereford, Brecon and Llandaff Cathedrals; and an extended tour to Dublin, Ireland, including services at Christ Church and St Patrick's Cathedrals. In July 2013 I was saddened to step down after four wonderful seasons with the choir. However, I was delighted to appoint Nathan James Dearden as my successor and, along with new choir manager Cathy Mottershead, I am extremely excited to see how the choir will continue to grow and prosper with fresh leadership over the coming years. I wish the 2013-14 choir outfit the very best of success and look forward to attending one of the Palestrina Singers' future engagements."
David Rhodes
