About
Musarc, The Orrery. London Contemporary Music Festival 2019. Conductor: Cathy Heller Jones. Photo: Dawid Laskowski
Musarc is one of the UK’s foremost experimental choirs. The ensemble has developed a distinct reputation for its interdisciplinary and research-led approach to music and performance, and the space it affords artists and singers to experiment with new ideas. Since its inception, the choir has collaborated with more than 130 artists and composers, including Jennifer Walshe, Keiji Haino, Jay Bernard, Lin Chiwei, Laure Provost, Ed Atkins, Lina Lapelytė, Jack Sheen, Imogen Stidworthy, Neil Luck and many others; and numerous festivals and arts organisations in the UK and abroad – including the Artangel, Tate Britain, ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts, Northampton Contemporary Arts, BBC Proms, London Contemporary Music Festival, Post Disaster (Taranto, Italy), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), the Royal Academy, CCA Goldsmiths, Museum of London, Serpentine Gallery, MK Gallery, Wysing Polyphonic, Cafe OTO and Bold Tendencies.
The choir was founded in 2008 by Joseph Kohlmaier, who acts as the ensemble’s Artistic Director. Musarc’s Director of Music is Oli Kitching. Cathy Heller Jones acted as the choir’s Director of Music from 2008–2021, and David Young 2024–2025.
Musarc is part of The Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement (CREATURE) at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University. To find out more about the choir and how to join visit musarc.org.