On Friday 3 September, the Autumn season at the Space opened with a stunning performance by Schola Cantorum of Oxford. Under the inspiring musicianship of Jamie Burton, the Oxford-based student chamber choir presented a feast of music from 1610 to the present day.

Equally at home in all styles, this a cappella group excelled in the opening piece, which was a little-known motet 'Factum est Silentium' by the 17th century composer, Richard Dering. They were also on top form in the recent commission, 'Bring us, O Lord God' by James MacMillan. This piece was commissioned by Schola Cantorum in their 50th year as a moving tribute to the late Lydia Press, who was a much-loved member of Schola Cantorum and also a former pupil at Sevenoaks School. In this concert, very much a celebration of Lydia, it seemed appropriate therefore for the two chamber choirs to join, and the Sennocke Consort teamed up with Schola for two performances, Stanford’s 'Beati Quorum Via' and the absolutely stunning 'My soul, there is a country' by Hubert Parry.