CRMSS International Scholars on our CRMSS courses come as a pre-formed group, the members of which already know one another and have worked together before, and share their talents and experience with the rest of the CRMSS participants over the course of the week. They act as leaders within the larger singing groups, and participate in the small group sessions in amongst the Canadian participants, as well as getting some time to rehearse on their own.
In 2022, we were pleased to have with us five students studying for a master's degree in Music at the University of York, in the UK, enrolled in York's "Solo Voice Ensemble Singing" MA pathway (known as "SVES"). After this proved so successful, we welcomed back another cohort of SVES singers to CRMSS Ontario 2024 and this year we are so happy to have yet another group coming to CRMSS Ontario 2025!
The SVES course at York is a performance-based master's level course of study dedicated entirely to one-per-part ensemble singing. The programme lasts one year and includes daily rehearsing and coaching, three major recitals, and opportunities to perform with all of the University of York's many other singing groups.
For more information on SVES, please have a look at the University of York's website.
This year's CRMSS International Scholars at CRMSS Ontario 2025 are:
Alice Chapman, soprano
Beth Yates, soprano
Morven McIntyre, alto
Raphael Geldsetzer, tenor
Adam Hilton, baritone
Sebastian Thomas, bass
Beth Yates is a Soprano from Surrey, UK. She held several colleges chapel choral scholarships while studying German and Italian at Durham University and is now studying for a Master’s in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York. Her year abroad meant she was able to attend an intensive early music course in Brescia, Italy. Beth also co-founded The Phoenix Consort, a successful new vocal consort who placed third at the Tolosa Choral Contest in 2023 as well having as a recent CD release of new music by composer Alexander Campkin called ‘I Saw Eternity’. Beth also attended the Samling Academy in 2023 and performs regularly as a soloist. Recent solo highlights include Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St John Passion, St Matthew Passion and B Minor Mass, Zelenka’s Miserere, Mozart’s Requiem, and Fauré’s Requiem.
Beth says:
"I’m so excited to join CRMSS and sing some wonderful music. Extra exciting as I’ve never been to Canada before!"
Alice Chapman is a soprano from Sheffield, UK. Alice studied English Literature at Bristol University where she also held a music scholarship. She conducted the Bristol University Madrigal Ensemble and has sung in choirs across England, including the Fitzhardinge Consort and the Opera North Youth Chorus. Before university, she also studied at Chetham’s School of Music. Alice is now studying at the University of York, on the MA Solo Voice Ensemble Singing course. When she’s not singing, Alice loves reading and sketching.
Alice says:
"I’ve never been to Canada so I’m very excited to visit Ontario and to meet all the singers on the course!"
Edinburgh born, Morven McIntyre is a First-Class music graduate of Edinburgh Napier University. She is currently studying for a Master of Arts degree in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York, under the direction of Robert Hollingworth. Morven is an alumnus of Genesis Sixteen and has been an alto scholar with the Schola Cantorum of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, and a Young Singer with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus. She is also a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS). Highlights of her years with NYCoS include 4 tours. The first, to Carnegie Hall, New York City, in October 2018 saw the choir perform Berlioz’s Lelio. In the most recent European Tour in August 2023, she performed as the alto soloist in the 'Pie Jesu' of Durufle’s Requiem, both in Paris and Mechelen. Outside of music, Morven is an avid reader and loves to bake.
Morven says:
"A first trip to Canada which features music making? Count me in! I’m so thrilled to have this opportunity to further my knowledge of renaissance music and see a new part of the world."
Raphael Geldsetzer is a tenor initially hailing from London (England!). He started singing at age 8 when he joined the choir of Southwark Cathedral, of which he was head chorister for 3 years. He has sung with various professional choirs including CRMSS Ontario Bristol Cathedral Choir, the Fitzhardinge Consort, and Kantos Chamber Choir. Raphael moved to York last year to pursue singing further with the MA Solo Voice Ensemble Singing course, having completed a BA and MA in Languages at Bristol. In York, alongside his Master’s he is also a Deputy Vicars Choral at York Minster. Outside of a choir rehearsal, you can usually find Raphael on a train somewhere.
Raphael says:
"I’m hugely excited to take part in this course in Canada, travelling a very long way to sing exceptional renaissance music is everything I enjoy and more."
Adam Hilton is a baritone and conductor based in York and London, UK. Born in Wrocław, Poland, Adam found his love of music after moving to England and becoming a chorister at Lancaster Priory. He graduated from the University of York in 2022, after starting a chamber choir in his final year. After two years of freelance singing in London, where he sang in churches across the city, received the Hertford Choral Society Conducting Fellowship and worked for groups including the London Youth Choirs, Adam is now back in York on the Solo Voice Ensemble Singing Masters led by Robert Hollingworth - director of the innovative solo-voice ensemble I Fagiolini. Adam frequently sings in concerts and recording sessions, with last year’s highlights including performing Beethoven 9 from memory at the BBC Proms, being the baritone soloist in the Haydn Nelson Mass at Warwick Arts Centre and recording the latest New Composers album for NMC.
Adam says:
"My first time in Canada! Can't wait to see what singing on the other side of the world is like. Do the notes go the same way? Also, is there a limit on how much maple syrup one can buy? Asking for a friend."
Sebastian Thomas graduated from the University of Oxford in 2023, having read music and sung as a Choral Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral. Since then, he has enjoyed a varied London (England) based portfolio career, with a prestigious choral scholarship at St Martin-in-the-Fields as well as a number of solo engagements, including Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Seven Last Words on the Cross. He has released a number of compositions and arrangements online with over 7 million streams on Spotify. He is currently studying for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York, learning under Alexander Ashworth and Robert Hollingworth.
Sebastian says:
"I'm very much looking forward to visiting Ontario as part of this cultural exchange - and I'm particularly excited about the culinary delights that Canada has to offer!"