Founded in 1999 and based in Oxford, the chamber choir Commotio performs contemporary choral music primarily from the 20th and 21st centuries showcasing works by younger or lesser-known composers. The choir is particularly recognised for its fine tuning, attention to detail and challenging repertoire. The name Commotio derives from the Latin for movement/excitement.


Interested in joining? 
Contact us to arrange an audition (all voice parts considered)


"I defy anyone to sing better than Commotio!" (Bob Chilcott, Composer)
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Next Concert - 19.30, Saturday 2nd December 2023
St John the Evangelist, 109A Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EH

Guest Director: Sarah Tenant-Flowers

Alec Roth: Sol justitiae
Dobrinka Tabakova: Goodwill to men
Kenneth Leighton: Of a Rose is all my song
Arvo Pärt: Virgencita
Reena Esmail: The unexpected earthly hour
Will Todd: Angel song II
Suzzie Vango: Gaudete
Richard R Bennett: New year carol
David Childs: O magnum mysterium
Herbert Howells: Sing lullaby
Owain Park: A babe is born
Jonathan Dove: The three kings
Errollyn Wallen: Peace on earth
Benjamin Britten: Shepherd's carol
György Ligeti: Éjszaka (Night)
Toby Young: The Owl

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​In the field of choral conducting Sarah Tenant-Flowers is an internationally recognised performer and teacher. The numerous and versatile array of professional and amateur groups with which she has worked includes the Hilliard Ensemble, Chamber Choir Ireland, Cape Town Philharmonic Choir, the Friedenkirche Chor of Düsseldorf, English Baroque and Reading Bach Choirs, Harlow Chorus, and the choirs of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where she was a senior lecturer and subsequently served as head of choral conducting for several years. As guest chorusmaster she has prepared numerous choirs including the BBC Symphony Chorus for Proms performances under Andrew Davis and Ed Gardner, and the Granada International Chorus for Harry Christophers (The Sixteen) and she directs the Dubai Opera Festival Chorus, which gave the first performance of Beethoven’s 9thSymphony in Dubai in the spring of 2019 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In addition to directing the Oxfordshire chamber choir NC3, Sarah works as guest conductor for groups such as Commotio and VoxCantab, the CBSO’s community choir SOVocal, London’s Whitehall Choir and Scunthorpe & District Choral Society.
 
Formerly General Manager of The Sixteen and a founder Director of the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD), Sarah is in huge demand as a conducting teacher, tutoring for Trinity College Oxford, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Sing for Pleasure, and ABCD. She featured as conducting mentor to actor Bradley Walsh on BBC2’s popular TV series ‘Maestro’. Sarah also regularly adjudicates at choir events such as the Leith Hill and Reigate Music Festivals.
 
As a singer Sarah performs throughout the UK with leading professional female consort Papagena. Recent concerts have included performances at the Edinburgh, Christchurch and Three Choirs festivals and collaborations with the Orchestra of the Swan in Stratford and Birmingham. The group has recorded acclaimed CDs for the SOMM label and future projects include a collaboration with the BBC Singers, The Queen’s Six and Christ Church Oxford. www.papagena.co.uk