Being a non-denominational college, we do not hold a weekly religious service nor have a Chaplain. Instead, we host a Choral Contemplation programme organised by our Chapel Director, where you can hear speakers from every faith (and no faith) discussing their religious and spiritual lives.
Accompanied by music from the Somerville College Choir, Choral Contemplations enable us to offer a unique perspective on the challenges faced by our society. In the past, we have fortunate to welcome, among others, a speaker from the Africa Prisons Project (now Justice Defenders), Prof Anita Mehta, who spoke on her meditations in music; and Prof Robin Dunbar, an Evolutionary Psychologist who helped enhance our understanding of Solitude.
Please do reach out to the Chapel Director if there’s a particular speaker who you would like to recommend.
For more information and context on the John Downland choral pieces, please see here.
Recent Choral Contemplations
Archive of Choral Contemplation Addresses
We will aim to share here an archive of recent addresses from our Choral Contemplations Programme.
Leavers’ Service, June 2021 – Monty Sharma
Reflection during Pride Month, 2021 – Isaac Walton
Communal Equanimity in a Gilded Age, April 2021 – Monty Sharma
