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.
For commissions and collaborations email info@musarc.org.
Read more about the choir and how to join.
People
Sam Belinfante (Artistic Director)
Sam is an artist living and working in London. Along with filmmaking and photographic work, his practice incorporates curating, sound and performance. Recent exhibitions include I See a Voice, The National Festival of Making (2023) and The Plot, Folkestone Triennial (2021). Performances include On Falling Short at ICA, London and Museum Tinguely, Basel (2024–25), The Long, very long Journey with Laure Prouvost at Kunshalle Wien, Vienna and …to bring the moonlight into a chamber, Sir John Soane's Museum, London (both 2023). He is a founding member of Musarc and has been Artistic Director since 2025. Read more …
Oli Kitching (Musical Director)
Oli is a conductor, singer, and facilitator whose work is driven by social values and a commitment to cross-genre, thought-provoking performance. Known for their relational approach, they pair musical ambition with inclusivity. For their debut with Musarc in 2025, they recorded an album released by SN Variations, featuring the work of Heleen Van Haegenborgh. They currently direct London Youth Choir’s Cambiata Girls and have worked widely with choirs and organisations including the RSNO Chorus, Tate Britain, Hallé Choir, English Touring Opera, Northern Baroque, and Hoot Creative. Read more …
Joseph Kohlmaier (Founding Director)
Joseph is an artist, designer and teacher. He is the founder and creative director of several collectives, organisations and educational projects including experimental choral ensemble Musarc (2009–25), Field Studies (2010–17, 2025–present), graphic design studio Polimekanos (with Stefan Kraus, 2000–2020), and independent imprint Cours de Poétique. Read More …
Franziska Böhm (Librarian)
Franziska is a German-born London-based dancer, singer, performance-maker, and researcher. Amongst teaching Skinner Releasing Technique and being an activist member of Chisenhale Dance Space, Franziska primarily works collaboratively.
Łukasz Kopeć (Bursar)
Łukasz is a Senior Data Scientist at JP Morgan Chase. In his spare time he is a founding member of Deep Learning Computer Vision Practicioners' Group.