Christopher Churcher releases debut album 'Moonrise' with Somerville College Choir

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The debut album from current student Christopher Churcher will be released on Friday 8 May 2026 by Resonus Classics.

Moonrise presents choral music written by Christopher during his time as an undergraduate student at Oxford, as well as works from his earliest composition at age 17. The album was recorded with Somerville College Choir, conducted by Will Dawes, and with pianist and Music Faculty alumna Mar Umbert Kimura.

At the heart of the album are the Pride Motets, commissioned for Somerville College's LGBTQ+ Pride services. These powerful works explore LGBTQ+ identity and belonging, reflecting on Christopher's own experience as a queer composer. The album brings together both sacred and secular music, from music for Christmas, to introspective, secular works inspired by the natural world. Shaped by the choir's identity as one of the few non-denominational Oxbridge choirs, the programme draws on tradition whilst remaining open and forward-looking. The music reflects Christopher's close partnership with Somerville College Choir, brought together by his distinctive "shimmering" harmonic language (The Scotsman).

Churcher is the recipient of a number of awards including the NCEM Young Composers Award (2023) and first prize in the Bach Choir Carol Competition (2022). His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and performed across Europe and America by leading artists including VOCES8, Anna Lapwood, the BBC Singers, and the Southbank Sinfonia. He has been described as "prodigiously talented" by Iain Burnside.

Moonrise will be released physically and digitally on Friday 8 May 2026 on Resonus Classics, with a launch event at Somerville College on Sunday 10 May.