Camden Voices is recognized as one of London's foremost vocal groups, representing the leading edge of contemporary ensemble singing. Founded in 2013 by Ed Blunt, the collective is far more than a traditional community choir; it is a meticulously curated ensemble of talented musicians, educators, and instrumentalists unified by a shared passion for innovative and diverse musical repertoire. Known for its vibrant, rich blend and captivating performances, Camden Voices has established a reputation for musical excellence, performing in renowned venues across the capital and earning praise from influential figures in the music industry.
The exceptional quality and unique sound of Camden Voices stem directly from its highly selective membership and its commitment to professional artistic direction.
Camden Voices operates as a 30-piece choir, a size that allows for the vocal depth and harmonic complexity of a large ensemble while retaining the agility and intimacy required for contemporary arrangements. The membership is drawn from across London and comprises experienced singers, many of whom are accomplished instrumentalists and educators themselves. This professional calibre ensures a high standard of musical literacy, technical skill, and commitment, which is essential for tackling the complex, non-traditional repertoire they embrace.
The group is meticulously balanced across four vocal parts: Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses. Each section is led by a dedicated Section Leader (e.g., Ellen Walsh & Sierra Lorenzini for Sopranos; Kaisha McCalla for Altos), who plays a crucial role in maintaining vocal blend, leading rehearsals for their respective sections, and supporting the Music Director—a structure indicative of a high-functioning, collaborative organization.
The artistic direction of the choir is guided by a highly skilled Music Director, ensuring the group remains at the forefront of contemporary vocal trends.
Anna-Lena (Anni) Delger has served as the Director since 2024, bringing extensive international experience in directing, mentoring, and conducting diverse choirs. Anni specializes in a cappella ensembles and spans genres from pop and jazz to classical music.
Professional Background: Anni’s qualifications—including a Master's degree in Jazz Singing from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and ongoing postgraduate studies in Jazz/Pop Choir Directing at the Royal Academy of Music (RAMA) in Denmark—provide a foundation of both high-level musical theory and contemporary pedagogical practice.
Sector Engagement: Her career is marked by high-profile collaborations, including performing with Jacob Collier on BBC television and featuring in West End productions. Moreover, Anni teaches on degree programmes at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, focusing on Ensemble Singing & Directing Skills and Vocal Arranging. This direct link to music education ensures that the choir is constantly exposed to cutting-edge techniques and theoretical approaches, maintaining its status as a "leading-edge" group.
The combination of skilled members and professional, genre-specialized direction allows Camden Voices to achieve a distinct vibrant, rich blend—a sound that has been lauded as "truly excellent" by Jamie Cullum.
Camden Voices consciously deviates from traditional choral repertoire, carving out a niche in modern ensemble music that reflects the diverse musical landscape of contemporary London.
The choir’s musical identity is defined by its ability to fluidly navigate and fuse multiple contemporary genres. Their repertoire spans a "huge breadth," showcasing fresh arrangements primarily drawn from:
A Cappella: This is a core focus, requiring immense precision in tuning, rhythm, and dynamic control, relying entirely on the human voice for all harmonic, melodic, and percussive elements.
Jazz and Soul: These genres demand rhythmic agility, improvisation, and a deep understanding of harmonic extensions and vocal colour, often requiring the singers to possess sophisticated non-classical vocal techniques.
World and Alternative Music: This inclusion ensures the repertoire remains fresh, exploratory, and diverse, demonstrating a willingness to engage with culturally rich and unconventional musical sources.
A key factor in the group's success and unique sound is that their music is not simply adapted; it features arrangements "written with the diverse and unique qualities of the group's voices in mind."
This bespoke approach ensures:
Optimized Blend: Arrangements are tailored to leverage the specific strengths, ranges, and timbres of the 30 individual singers, maximizing the group’s unique "vibrant rich blend."
Creative Freedom: It grants the ensemble ownership over its sound, allowing them to transform familiar songs into complex, modern arrangements that challenge listeners' expectations of what choir music can be. This commitment to fresh, original takes on contemporary music distinguishes them from choirs performing standard arrangements.
By focusing on these sophisticated, genre-bending arrangements, Camden Voices appeals to a modern audience hungry for vocal music that is technically impressive, emotionally engaging, and culturally relevant.
The impact of Camden Voices is measured not only by the quality of its internal work but by the visibility and prestige of its public performances.
The choir has become a fixture in the London music scene, regularly performing at some of the city's most respected and culturally significant venues, places that typically host professional musicians and touring artists:
The Roundhouse: A major arts venue known for hosting contemporary music and innovative performance.
Union Chapel: An iconic, acoustically sublime venue celebrated for its intimate and atmospheric concerts.
Tabernacle: A culturally rich venue in Notting Hill, known for hosting diverse music and community arts.
Southbank Centre and VOCES8 Centre: Prestigious cultural complexes that underscore the group’s legitimacy within both the mainstream arts and specialist vocal performance communities.
Performing in these spaces demonstrates that Camden Voices is viewed as a professional-level musical act, capable of delivering captivating performances that resonate with a discerning audience.
The group's visibility has extended beyond the stage through media appearances, further solidifying its reputation as a leading vocal ensemble:
Television and Radio: Appearances on ITV and BBC Radio provide crucial exposure, demonstrating the mainstream appeal and broadcast-quality standard of their music.
Expert Endorsement: The high praise from Jamie Cullum—a Grammy-nominated, highly respected figure in contemporary jazz—serves as a significant external validation, positioning them as an ensemble of note within the UK's broader jazz and vocal music community.
Camden Voices maintains a professional operational model that allows them to generate income and sustain their artistic work:
Hire: The group offers itself for hire, catering for corporate events, private functions, and collaborations, which is a common and necessary revenue stream for professional-calibre independent arts organizations.
Support Us: By encouraging public support and donations, the choir acknowledges the economic realities of running a large, high-quality vocal collective. This structure allows them to fund the costs associated with original commissions, rehearsal space, professional direction, and touring opportunities, ensuring the longevity and continued excellence of their artistic mission.
The identity of Camden Voices is deeply interwoven with the vibrant, creative spirit of its namesake borough. While the members are drawn from across London, the "Camden Voices" moniker evokes an image of urban creativity, diversity, and artistic boundary-pushing—all characteristics that define their musical output.
