Dom is currently a Lay Clerk at St John’s College, Cambridge. He has recently worked as a Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral and Clare College, Cambridge, and has been a Choral Scholar at York Minster. He commenced his Associate Artist position with Tenebrae in September 2024.
Tell us about your background in music.
My singing life really started as a chorister at Bristol Cathedral. It taught me so much about what it means to be a singer and introduced me to the service of evensong, which has been a key part of my work since. I explored opera as a member of the Welsh National Youth Opera, and musical theatre, but I kept coming back to choral singing. My professional career as a tenor started at York Minster as a Choral Scholar – effectively a choral apprenticeship – and, after moving to Cambridge, graduated to a Lay Clerkship at Clare College and then Ely Cathedral. I am due to start another Lay Clerkship at St John’s College in Cambridge in October.
What are you most looking forward to about singing with Tenebrae?
The programmes! Its very hard to pin Tenebrae down to a particular style or period – they do everything so well. I have seen remarkable Tenebrae concerts of music from the medieval period to the present day. As a result, I am looking forward to learning new repertoire, outside of the ‘standard’ liturgical cannon – particularly the Path of Miracles!
Which Tenebrae concert(s) have you particularly enjoyed so far?
Returning to Bristol on September 14th was particularly exciting. It is always nice to perform in my hometown, and I spent much of my childhood singing in the concert venue, Bristol Cathedral. There were some wonderful pieces in the programme, and it was amazing to perform for so many friends and family.
What is your favourite piece of music to sing and why?
There is nothing quite like Claudio Monteverdi’s madrigals. If I had to pick one, maybe Rimanti in Pace. They are like mini operas, with deep narratives and dialogue between characters. Rimanti is, in essence, a long goodbye between two lovers, with undertones of death and loss – it’s a really moving piece.
Can you tell us about the most memorable concert you ever performed in?
When I was living in York, I performed a piece called Earthrise by Alec Roth with the Ebor Singers in the Chapter House at York Minster. The piece is in 40 parts and is designed to reflect the first photograph of Earth from space. It is a really creative work and was perfectly suited to the ‘spacey’ atmosphere of the Chapter House. I have a vivid memory of the enormous windows creating star-like patterns in the candlelight.
Do you have any travel hacks for touring?
Snacks.
What is your pre-concert routine?
I don’t really have anything prescriptive. Generally, I try to warm up without making too much noise, which normally involves some kind of lip trill. Always grateful for a pre-concert cuppa – something herbal in a nice mug.