Elysian Singers
The Elysian Singers of London, under musical director Sam Laughton, is one of the UK's leading chamber choirs. Known for its adventurous programming and imaginative repertoire, it gives concerts in and around London, and has recorded a number of enthusiastically received CDs.
The choir has broadcast several times on radio and television in the UK and the USA, including two live appearances on Radio 3’s “In Tune” programme during 2011. It has also made several commercial recordings, including “Cantos Sagrados” (2004) a CD of music by James MacMillan, and its recent release on Meridian, “The Spirit of Christmas Present” (2011).
The Elysians have forged relationships with a number of contemporary composers, including Alan Bullard, Bob Chilcott, Andrew Hugill, James Macmillan, Tarik O'Regan, Howard Skempton and John Tavener, who observed in a television interview, "Amongst chamber choirs they're one of the best". We have regularly premiered and commissioned new works, including John Habron's Salve Regina in 2008, Exile Lamentations by the Australian composer Paul Stanhope, which we co-commissioned in 2009, and Timepieces, a commission from Ian Stephens in 2011, part of which was premiered on Radio 3.
Sam Lawton (conductor)
A former organ scholar of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, Sam juggles life as the father of four young children with dual careers as a barrister and musician. He is director of the Craswall Players and the Chiltern Camerata, and is heavily involved in organising and conducting at Pigotts' music camps. He is in demand as a guest conductor, working regularly with the Oxford Sinfonia, Oxford Philomusica, the Orchestra of the City, Kensington Chamber Orchestra, the Kew Sinfonia, the Joyful Company of Singers and ENO Baylis.on biog