The Oswald Ensemble is a Northern-based professional vocal quartet, performing an eclectic mix of choral music.

Formed in December 2022, we are a diverse group of singers from Yorkshire and the North with a shared love of outstanding ensemble singing. From the stunning polyphony of early renaissance, to lush close-harmony arrangements of pop songs, the Oswald Ensemble prides itself in bringing choral music to the contemporary. Our concerts are curated to suit both the occasion and performance space.

FAQs

Increasingly I’ve found it frustrating that choral music can be construed as elitist and not for everyone. I was at a brilliant folk gig by The Rheingans Sisters and I really enjoyed the way they communicated with the audience; their easy, relaxed approach to making music putting the audience at ease.I then started to look at other genres of music and how these were performed, which brought me to choral music. I love choral music and it’s myriad of possibilities and its ability to express such emotion. To this end I wanted to form a group of like minded singers to try to bring the essence of choral music into the present day, making it accessible to all, especially those who may not come across it in their day to day lives. - David
There is no definitive answer to this, I suppose this comes down to what we believe choral music is and can be; at its core it is any music written or arranged for a group of three or more singers (choir). So while we are trying to introduce people to the beautiful polyphony of the Renaissance by making it more relevant, through performance spaces and musical detail, we are also aiming to get people listening to choirs and small ensembles with an open mind.
……………the easier answer is all kinds!
How engaging we are when performing. How we adapt our sound to the space; from filling a large space (such as a church or Cathedral), retaining the ability to draw in the listener, to not being overpowering in a smaller venue. Our professionalism and friendliness. Our connection as a group.
Yes, absolutely, we are a professional ensemble and as much as we try to put on our own concerts we are available to be hired for any event, From a wedding or a funeral through to a fundraiser or party. Please use the contact page or phone David direct on 07939 974904.

Meet the Ensemble

David Brown

DIRECTOR/TENOR
Originally from the Midlands, David studied Music at the Birmingham Conservatoire and went on to do a Post-Graduate course in Singing at the Royal College of Music, London under Miss Kathleen Livingstone.
David’s interests in singing, especially sacred music, were realised early when he became a Choral Scholar at Tewkesbury Abbey at the tender age of nine. He continued this love of Church Music as a ‘Gentleman of the Chapel’ at the Temple Church, London. He now regularly sings at Ripon Cathedral as a tenor lay clerk deputy.
Solo concert performances have included: Bach:St.John Passion (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London), Bach:B Minor Mass, Bach:Magnificat, Handel:Messiah, Haydn:Nelson Mass, and Mozart:Requiem.
Other concert appearances have included performances with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic including a TV broadcast and a DVD release of Bernstein’s Wonderful Town. David also enjoys performing contemporary music, and was involved in the premier of Baluji Shrivastav and Dario Marionelli’s Urdu Cantata:‘Sohini and Mahival’.
David has appeared on numerous recordings with John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers and The Temple Church Choir for their prestigious performance of The Veil of the Temple.
Opera roles include: Handel:Samson (Samson), William Shield:Rosina (Mr Bellville) and the title role in Rameau’s Pygmalion at Dartington Hall. David was also a member of Garsington Opera chorus for 3 years.
On the other side of the musical spectrum, David performs regularly with an eclectic and ever changing group of musicians around the country, enjoying a cross-over with jazz, folk and pop.
Emilia Jaques

SOPRANO
Emilia is a soprano based between Yorkshire and Oxford University. Beginning back when as a chorister in Ripon Cathedral, Emilia sings in many choral groups, e.g the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and the Rodolfus Choir. A finalist in 2017, Emilia claimed the title of BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year in 2018-19. An exciting year of solo appearances included in the broadcasts Christmas ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ alongside Alfie Bowe, Radio 4 ‘At the Foot of the Cross’, and also a CD with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. She is an avid soloist, performing recitals at her schools, the Hexham and Harrogate International Youth Music Festivals and also on stage in lead roles in ‘Dido and Aeneas’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.
A music student and choral scholar at The Queen’s College, Oxford, Emilia sings in the college’s Chapel Choir in services, concerts and tours. Emilia’s emerging passion is for smaller ensemble singing; she was a member of close-harmony girl group ’Stellina’, featuring multiple times on BBC Songs of Praise. She took the plunge and tried her hand at the terrifying art of scatting as part of the student A Cappella jazz group, The Oxford Gargoyles. The group notably ran a successful show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year and recorded many singles (and a music video on Arthur’s Seat!).
When not warbling with Oswald, Emilia loves running, tennising and is currently endeavouring to teach herself the bass guitar.
Laura Oldfield

MEZZO SOPRANO
Laura is a mezzo soprano who works as a Principal Alto Lay Clerk at Newcastle Cathedral, having recently graduated from her Master’s degree in Music. Solo voice consort singing is Laura’s greatest passion, and outside of the cathedral she sings with and manages multiple consorts and chamber choirs in the North East of England, while also enjoying performing as a soloist and as a member of more intimate ensembles. Laura is an avid opera fan, having portrayed the role of Purcell’s Sorceress in a performance of ‘Dido and Aeneas’ last year, as well as singing in a televised French production of ‘La Traviata’ in 2018. Laura is delighted to be singing with the Oswald Ensemble alongside three wonderful musicians and is so excited for the group’s future!
Marcus Groundwater

BASS
Marcus Groundwater’s singing career has been focused on the choral tradition at Ripon Cathedral where he has enjoyed 3 spells; between 1983 and 1988 as a chorister, from 1997 to 2000 as a choral scholar and since 2009 as a bass Lay Clerk. Solo work has included performances of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Maurice Durufle and Gabrielle Faure’s Requiems, J.S. Bach’s Matthew Passion and Mass in B Minor as well as John Stainer’s Crucifixion. His love of choral music is matched by his love of jazz and his band ‘Frankly Jazz’ with whom Marcus plays clarinet and is lead vocalist.
Away from music Marcus is still trying to play golf as well as cricket for Ripon CC and MCC where his medium paced half volleys are gleefully welcomed by batsmen across Nidderdale. Marcus lives in Harrogate with his wife Kate, 2 children Maisie and Freddie, and dog Cooper.