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Sarah Colgan

Alto

Sarah Colgan

Alto

Where did you grow up? Did you have access to classical music?

I grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, where I first got into music through primary

school choirs, recorder classes, and flute lessons. Not long after I moved to Ireland at age 10, I joined the

choir at St Bartholomew’s Church as a chorister, which was the catalyst for my musical journey. All

through secondary school, I continued singing in school and church choirs, playing flute, and performing

with orchestras and wind bands. I discovered a real love for conducting in my teens - initially starting

with orchestral conducting before moving to choral conducting in the last few years.

3. What has been your most memorable performance so far?

It’s been exceedingly difficult to pick only one! My most memorable choral performance by far was

singing Tallis’ Spem in Alium with Ex Cathedra back in Spring 2023. Spem in Alium has been one of my

favourite pieces of music for as long as I can remember. The performance itself was slightly out of the

ordinary with certain vocal lines being doubled or covered by early baroque instruments! My other most

memorable performance so far has been a Come & Sing Evensong that I organised & conducted back in

March 2025. I had the opportunity to work with people from all over the Midlands and to perform some

of my favourite music by composers Purcell, Alec Roth & Fauré. It was an incredible day and a brilliant

measure of how far I have come in my musical career.

4. What would your dream performance be?

Having achieved my initial dream of singing one of the most well known 40-part choral works (Spem in

Alium), I’ve set my next dream on yet another 40-part choral work, Alec Roth’s Earthrise. I first fell in love

with Roth’s music by chance back in 2018 with my church choir in Ireland. Since then I have continued to

sing and conduct many of his works, even appearing on his 2023 CD The Traveller with Ex Cathedra.5. What are you looking forward to with Genesis Sixteen?

I’m really looking forward to making music with like-minded singers who also share a deep passion for

choral music. The opportunity to work at such a high artistic level, with guidance from some of the UK’s

most respected musicians, is incredibly exciting and such an honour. I’m especially eager to hone my

ensemble skills, explore a wide range of repertoire, and to be part of a programme that so clearly

nurtures both musical and personal growth.

6. Outside of singing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not singing, I’m often at work teaching choral workshops to primary school children, a job

which is immensely fulfilling, knowing that I am providing many children with their first experience of

classical music. Aside from work, I also enjoy playing volleyball, getting out into nature and exploring

new places (always making sure I pick up a new pin badge!)

7. Are you still in education? Are you in any other young artists schemes?

I have just finished my final year and will be graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in July

2025. In addition to this, I am about to conclude my experience as Ex Cathedra’s 24-25 Alto Enhanced

Scholar.

8. Outside of performances with Genesis Sixteen, have you got any concerts coming up?

As I write this, I am currently on a train to London to perform a concert in St Martin in the Fields with Ex

Cathedra as part of their ‘Music for a Summer’s Evening’ concert series. Having been both a scholar and

regular member of Ex Cathedra over the past few years, I am looking forward to the upcoming 25-26

season of concerts filled with more wonderful music. Aside from this, I’m sure many concerts will

continue to pop up between now and then!

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