How Music is Thriving at Wadham

As Wadham Director of Music, Hannah Zaki completes her second year in post, we caught up with her about the recent choir tour and everything going on with Wadham music.

Tours are always special because they come at the end of a year when the choir has really developed as an ensemble. By that stage everyone knows one another well, and that gives us the confidence to be more adventurous musically.

Singing at La Madeleine, Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois and Notre-Dame Cathedral was an extraordinary privilege. We were able to experiment with the spaces and enjoy performing in some remarkable venues.

Just as importantly, the tour strengthened the friendships within the choir. It's one of the things I love most about this group: any two members are happy to chat with each other, and there's a real sense of community.

The choir also performed for Wadham alumni during the visit to Paris. We were invited to perform at the British Ambassador's Residence, where current students met alumni from many different generations.

It was lovely to see choir members chatting with alumni about their own memories of Wadham and hearing about the different paths they've taken since leaving the College. It was a reminder that music helps build connections not just within the current student body, but across the wider Wadham community.

The weekly chapel services are the heart of what we do, but concerts give the choir a different opportunity. During a service, the music supports the liturgy. In a concert, the singers themselves become the focus.

Our concert in Hilary Term 2025 was a real highlight because it gave the choir the chance to showcase everything they had been working on. Friends and family could come and hear them, and I think it really boosted the choir's confidence. Because this was received so positively, we decided to make this an annual event and gave a similar performance in Hilary of this year.

The Music Society is entirely student-led, and that's one of its great strengths. The students organise concerts, open mic nights, folk evenings and themed performances, and they've put on some fantastic events this year.

They've also revived the Friday lunchtime recital series, which has become a regular feature of the musical calendar and attracts audiences from both the University and the wider Oxford community.

Christmas is probably the best example. It was during my first Christmas at Wadham that I really understood what the choir means to the College.

The chapel services, the carols and the traditions in Hall all bring the whole community together. It reminded me that music-making isn't just about performing well, it's about creating shared experiences and celebrating together.

I've worked with a lot of different choirs over the years, but there was something special about Wadham Choir right from the beginning. There's so much energy, collegiality and enthusiasm, not just for singing, but for being part of Wadham Choir specifically.

This year we've expanded the Chapel Music Scholarship Scheme by increasing the number of choral scholarships and introducing new Conducting and Keyboard Scholarships.

That was reflected in our annual Scholars' Recital, which now showcases not only singers but also student conductors and accompanists. It's been exciting to broaden the opportunities available to students and recognise different kinds of musical talent within the College.

We're already planning more concerts and looking at the possibility of a trip to Somerset to strengthen Wadham's historic connections with the region. I'd also like to introduce a singing workshop for the whole choir so that every singer has the chance to continue developing their vocal skills.

Many thanks to Hannah Zaki for her time. The latest Scholars' Recital is also available to view below.