Crouch End Festival Chorus

Biography

Not a festival-associated group but an independent one, the Crouch End Festival Chorus first came together in the mid-1980s, founded by David Temple and John Gregson (the pair had both sung as tenors in the London Philharmonic Choir). By the next decade, it had become one of England's leading large choirs, as it built a broad repertoire that incorporated selections from standard classics to less-familiar contemporary works. The choir has sung in many prominent concerts, including one celebrating Philip Glass' 60th Birthday at the Royal Festival Hall with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Martyn Brabbins in 1997. The Chorus has been heard on many film soundtracks and has recorded classical repertory as well, including Elgar's oratorio The Kingdom, Op. 51, in 2025.