Dignatus are an elite chamber choir that was set up in 2006. It is based in Oxford, and is comprised of a number of top young classical singers from across the UK. Many, if not all of these singers have represented regional choirs or the National Youth Choir Of Great Britain. Needless to say, the standard of the choir is very high, and are known for their faultless performance through varying anthems and works. Current production of the CD '20th Century Choral Music' includes works by Whitacre, Childs, Ticheli, and O'Regan.
Dignatus are driven by a desire to become one of the leading European chamber choirs over the coming years, and are confident of achieving this goal with the current singers and support.
Profiles
Matthew Gouldstone, aged 19, (Bass 2)
Matt set up and founded the choir in late 2006. He is currently in his third year at Oxford Brookes University studying Music. Matthew has been part of many regional choirs, and sang solo's during Woodard schools concerts. He was senior chorister at Denstone College, Staffordshire, he also sings in Concentio (Oxford Brookes University's SU Chamber Choir). Matthew has sung at many Oxford college venues, and has recently been invited to audition as a Bass lay-clerk in Christchurch Cathedral Choir, Oxford and for Polyphony, one of the worlds finest chamber choirs.
Tim Bennett, aged 20, (Bass 2)
Tim is currently in his second year at Oxford Brookes University studying music. He has been singing in choirs since the age of 6, and has made a number of recordings along the way. He is a confident soloist, and his last 2 years have been spent singing with Exeter college choir (Oxford). He also enjoyed a brief stint as a chorister at Canterbury during his earlier days.
Jamie Wardynski, aged 20 (Bass 1)
Jamie is currently studying French at Oxford Brookes University but has been a member of NYCGB for five years and before that was a treble at Derby Cathedral. Jamie has sung at many prestigious events including the BBC Proms, on Radio 3, at Tarik O'Regan's premiere of I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh and has also be on tour with NYC to Easten Europe.
Benjamin Woodgates, aged 20, (Bass 2)
William Swales, aged 21, (Bass 1)
Will is currently studying Classics at The Queen's College Oxford and is also a choral scholar there. He has had experience conducting Eglesfield Chorus, sung in Concentio (Oxford Brookes University's SU Chamber Choir) and also sang the part of King Paramount I in Gilbert and Sullivan's Utopia Limited.
Alastair Carey, (Tenor 1)
Alastair started singing as a boy treble in Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand and progressed to be an Organ Scholar at cathedrals in both Nelson and Wellington, he also holds a degree in Organ performance and deploma's in vocal technique and performance. Alastair has sung with such choirs as Polyphony, ex Cathedra and Philharmonia Voices and has recently been appointed as a Tenor lay clark at Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford.
Charlie Bowder, aged 19, (Tenor 1)
Charlie is currently studying Music at Oxford Brookes University. He was a chorister at Canterbury and also St. Patricks, Dublin, where he spent his gap year as a Tenor choral scholar. Charlie also sings in Concentio and has performed many times as a soloist.
Ruth Gibbins, 24 (Alto 2)
Katharine Plows, aged 20, (Alto 1)
Katharine is currently studying Music at Oxford Brookes University. She has sung in many choirs from an early age and was Head Chorister at St. Thomas, Salisbury, in which she has sung many solo's. Katharine is the occaisional front-person of Suite Jazz (a local Jazz band) and also sings in Concentio in Oxford.
Joy Marzouk, aged 21, (Alto 1)
Constance Wordsworth, aged 22, (Soprano 2)
Connie graduated from The Queen's College, Oxford, with a music degree in 2005. She has toured with Queen's as a choral scholar in Sri Lanka and Portugal, has sung with Commotio, Concentio, Arcadian Singers and London Cantata Choir and has also performed widely as a soloist. She also aids rehearsals with her fantastic piano skills.
Michelle Smith, aged 18, (Soprano 1)
Michelle is currently studying for her A levels at Denstone College, in Staffordshire. She has been singing from a young age, performs regularly on stage and in choirs. Michelle is a member of RSCM Cathedral Singers and the Millenium Youth Choir and has sung for a year in the National Youth Training Choir.
