A short history of Schola Aquae Sulis (SAS)
Schola Aquae Sulis, or SAS as it is usually known, was founded in 1980 by its current Director, Benedict Cliffe, whilst he was studying for an honours degree in Music at Newton Park College (now Bath Spa University).
The choir, at first, consisted almost exclusively of fellow students at the college, but, as with most choirs, the mebership has changed over the years and now has only three original members, and only four from the early days at Bath!
The choir now has members from many walks of life ranging from Cathedral Organists and Lay Clerks to Solicitors,Teachers and Students. A number of our members come to us annually from abroad.
The choir meets once a year to sing in one of the many beautiful Cathedrals in England and Wales, and use the entire week of the residency for rehearsal and preparation of the weekly Cathedral services.
(Typical weekly programmes are illustrated via links at the foot of the page.)
The choir is fortunate to have several gifted organists amongst their numbers, and these members are often called upon to help in rehearsal and even occasionally for services.
At the foundation of the choir, the organist to SAS was Jeffrey Williams (1980-1982) (who later went to Romsey Abbey as Organist and Master of the Choristers).
The main organist to SAS has, however, been Mervyn Williams, a gifted recitalist and accompanist, who was a fellow student with Benedict Cliffe at Bath, and who has been a great supporter of the choir ever since his first services at Salisbury Cathedral in the summer of 1983. Mervyn celebrated 25 years with SAS at the return visit to Salisbury in 2008!
Also celebrating 25 years with the choir in 2008 was Christopher Denton, now the official assistant organist to SAS, who first came on tour as Mervyn's page turner in 1983! Chris is now the Assistant Organist at Newport Cathedral in his spare time!
There are many to whom thanks are due within the membership of SAS, but none more than to its long time Treasurer, Jeremy Boughton. Jeremy is one of only 3 original members, and his continued support and service to the choir is, without doubt, a major contributory factor in the choirs continuing success. Jeremy is always ready to help with rehearsal accompaniments and has played for occasional services ove many years. He is a gifted singer and musician, and has recently taken over as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Dorchester Abbey.
Here,SAS are singing the Nunc Dimmittis from "The Gloucester Service" by Herbert Howells.
This was recorded in St. Paul's Cathedral, London in 2005
(Double click to start the sound-track if necessary.)
