Stornoway Recruits Impromptu Choir for Oxford Album Launch

Stornoway Recruits Impromptu Oxford Choir for Sheldonian Theatre Album Launch

Indie folk trio Stornoway are planning to assemble what could be the largest impromptu choir brought together in Oxford for their upcoming homecoming performance. The band will return to the historic Sheldonian Theatre on September 27 to launch their fifth studio album, Beyonder, which is slated for release on September 25 ahead of a 14-date UK tour beginning in October.

Rather than relying strictly on professional backing vocalists, the band is inviting fans of all musical backgrounds to join a volunteer “scratch choir.” Participants will attend a two-hour workshop held hours before the gig to learn how to sing alongside the trio in four-part harmony. Choir leader Ben See, who previously arranged for the Syrinx Choir to back Stornoway at their 20th-anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March, will lead the pre-concert preparation.

Organizers have set no prior choir experience or music-reading requirements for volunteers. The size of the impromptu choir on the night will be limited only by the 750-seat capacity of the venue. Anyone interested in participating can sign up directly through the band’s official website.

Bassist Oli Steadman on Community, Choral Tradition, and Venue History

Bassist Oli Steadman explained that the unconventional staging is designed to give supporters an immersive concert experience. We wanted to make something truly unique about the experience for the fans, Steadman told the BBC regarding the vocal workshops and community participation.

“I’m just tremendously excited about that because the more we think about it, and the more years we’ve been together, the more we realise choral tradition and choir music is at the heart of what Stornoway has always done.”

Bassist Oli Steadman, Stornoway

Steadman added that the project aims to give attendees that experience of being part of the band. The upcoming September concert marks the fourth time Stornoway has played the University of Oxford-owned venue. The performance is made possible through the Sheldonian Theatre’s community engagement scheme, which allows the historic hall to be hired for public-facing events.

The band shares a long history with the venue, having first played the hall in 2009 around the release of their debut album, Beachcomber’s Windowsill.

“Until we played it, no pop band, no folk band, no amplified music really had ever taken place in there… So we wanted to be a bit punk on Oxford’s behalf.”

Bassist Oli Steadman, Stornoway

Tracing Stornoway’s Hometown Roots and Return to Touring

Formed in 2005, Stornoway earned their first radio airplay on BBC Radio Oxford the following year. After releasing three albums, the band entered a six-year hiatus before returning with their 2023 comeback album, Dig The Mountain!

The upcoming hometown album launch sets the stage for a busy autumn. Beyonder drops on September 25, followed immediately by their appearance at the Sheldonian Theatre on September 27, and a 14-date UK tour kicking off in October.