In this episode of ChoralCast, Sophie is joined by her friend Beth to explore St. Martin’s Voices’ Choral Discovery Concerts series - accessible, one-hour concerts designed to introduce audiences to new and lesser-known choral repertoire. They dive into the recent concert Illuminations, which featured an unusual and striking collaboration between choir and saxophone.

The conversation unpacks how this pairing challenges traditional expectations of choral music, blending influences from medieval plainsong to 20th-century works, including a reimagined version of Gershwin’s Summertime. Along the way, they discuss what choral music typically sounds like, why innovation matters, and what makes these concerts approachable for newcomers.

The episode also features interviews with arrangers Iain Farrington and Freddie Crowley, alongside saxophonist Huw Wiggin, offering insight into the creative process behind this unique musical experience.