Building upon the success of each earlier Institute, we have been able to introduce new and exciting elements to each successive gathering. At Oxbridge 2002 we initiated a full Academic Conference component running concurrently with our afternoon electives, enabling Christian scholars to share their most recent work together. This year the Academic Conference is back, making an even stronger showing among both established and younger scholars.

Oxbridge 2005 is breaking new ground once again. As an expression of its commitment to excellence in the performing arts, the C.S. Lewis Foundation is incorporating a full fledged Choral Institute as an integral component of its Summer Institute offerings. The choir will consist of auditioned choral singers who sincerely desire to participate fully in the wide range of conference programming while also gaining immeasurable experience in choral performance through participation in both concert and worship settings.. The purpose of the Choral Institute is to enhance the aesthetic and spiritual experience of all attendees through the choral artistry of singers who are deeply interested in exploring the intersection of Christ and culture in an interdisciplinary setting while also participating in an exceptional choral program conducted in world-class venues, including The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, Ely Cathedral, and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.

Presenting offerings from both the sacred and secular choral repertoire, this inaugural program will be under the able direction of John Dickson, Director of Choral Studies and Chair of the Conducting Division at Texas Tech University, where he conducts the University Choir, Madrigal Singers and the Lubbock Chorale, and supervises the graduate programs in choral conducting. Dr. Dickson is an internationally recognized conducting pedagogue as well as a strong advocate for church music, having served as an active church musician and educator for over twenty-five years.

To enable the start-up of this truly exceptional musical initiative, the C.S. Lewis Foundation has established sixteen grants for Choral Scholars for Oxbridge 2005. These grants are to be awarded to qualified undergraduate and graduate students on a competitive basis and will cover the cost of tuition for the entire two-weeks of the Summer Institute as well as a reduced cost room and board option.

We also anticipate that there are many other fine choristers in our churches and community choral ensembles who would highly value the opportunity to perform in these most exceptional choral venues while also gleaning the rich treasure to be gained from the conference as a whole. Some of you may be in that category! If so, please consider applying!!