Tallis Choral Foundation

Unique Professional Choral Charity

Tallis Choral Foundation Choir

The Tallis Choral Foundation is a professional choral ensemble dedicated to musical excellence, education, and the development of emerging singers. Founded in 2017 by Musical Director Chris Why, and registered as a charity in 2025, Tallis exists to advance the art and education of music through performance, mentoring, and outreach. We combine high artistic standards with a strong commitment to wellbeing, creating a supportive environment in which singers and audiences alike can engage deeply with choral music.

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Beverley
Tewkesbury Abbey

Musical Leadership

Beverley

Chris Why

Musical Director

Chris is a West Yorkshire–based conductor and tenor, and the founder and director of The Tallis Choral Foundation, a professional vocal ensemble recognised for its vibrant, stylistically informed performances. Under his direction, the Foundation has presented acclaimed performances of Messiah, Mozart Requiem, and Haydn Nelson Mass with the Orpheus Sinfonia. Chris also directs Cawthorne Choral Society and is committed to choral education, having held cathedral music posts alongside a busy teaching practice.

Collin Walsh

Colin Walsh

Honorary President

Colin Walsh has been associated with cathedral music for nearly fifty years, serving at institutions including Windsor, Christ Church Oxford, Salisbury, St Albans, and Lincoln Cathedral, where he was Organist and Master of the Choristers from 1988, later becoming Organist Laureate and Emeritus. An international recitalist, he specialises in French organ music, has made over forty recordings, teaches in Cambridge, and holds an honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Lincoln.

Our History

The Tallis Choral Foundation is a professional choral ensemble bringing together some of the finest young and professional singers in the United Kingdom, united by a shared commitment to musical excellence, collaboration, and the development of emerging talent. Founded in 2017 by Musical Director Chris Why as the Tallis Consort, the ensemble was created to bridge the gap between early-career singers and established professionals, offering outstanding performance opportunities within a supportive and collegiate environment. Since its inception, Tallis has built a strong reputation for ambitious programming, historically informed performance, and the highest musical standards.

In September 2025, Tallis entered an exciting new chapter by becoming a registered charity, marking the formation of the Tallis Choral Foundation. This development has allowed the organisation to expand its vision beyond the concert platform alone, championing choral and instrumental music through performance, education, and opportunity. The Foundation supports musicians at pivotal stages in their development while deepening public engagement with this rich and enduring art form through thoughtfully curated programmes, insightful context, and close collaboration between musicians. As the Foundation continues to grow, charitable support enables wider access, deeper impact, and a confident, imaginative future for both performers and audiences alike.

Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey

Supporting Us

Become a Friend of Tallis

Tallis exists to nurture exceptional young singers and to support early-career professional vocalists at a crucial stage in their development. Our concerts are designed as immersive experiences for our audiences, and as meaningful artistic and developmental opportunities for our singers, with affordability and access at the heart of our work. As a result, there is little surplus generated through performance alone.

Everything we are able to do beyond the concert platform, from creating new opportunities for young soloists to providing meaningful professional experience, is made possible through charitable giving.

By becoming a Friend of Tallis, you play a direct role in shaping the future of choral and vocal music. Your support helps us to invest in young people breaking into an extraordinarily competitive industry, giving them the chance to be heard, supported, and celebrated at the highest level.

Our Musical Director, Chris Why, is committed to growing the Tallis Foundation so that we can offer deeper, more sustained support to our singers. With your help, Tallis can do more, and reach further

Friends Membership

  • Friend

    £75 per year (or £6.75 per month)

    • Quarterly Friends newsletter

    • Access to one behind-the-scenes rehearsal each year

    • Exclusive digital content, including singer profiles and interviews

  • Friend+

    £120 per year (or £12.00 per month)

    • All of the previous friend benefits, plus:

    • Access to up to two behind-the-scenes rehearsals per year

    • Priority seating at Tallis concerts

  • Patron

    £200 per year (or £16.66 per month)

    • All Friend+ benefits, plus:

    • Access to up to three behind-the-scenes rehearsals per year

    • Complimentary interval drinks, hosted by members of the choir

    • An exclusive Tallis branded gift box

Why Your Support Matters

  • Your membership is a charitable donation that directly supports:
  • Emerging soloists and ensemble singers
  • Early-career professional development
  • New performance and showcasing opportunities
  • The long-term sustainability of Tallis’s artistic mission
  • Quite simply, Friends make Tallis possible.

Recordings

Tewkesbury Abbey
Palestrina - Exsultate Deo

2025

If ye love me
Tallis - If ye love me

2024

Abide with me
Abide with me (hymn)

2024

Beverley

I cannot praise you enough for singing at the wonderful concert yesterday afternoon - we were transported to Paradise! All of your voices are remarkable and so pure. In fact we were moved to tears at many points!

(Audience member, 2024)

The Tallis Consort provided an engaging, intimate performance full of vitality and energy. A blend of youth, experience and musical excellence proving a winning combination!

(Audience member, 2024)

Chris and the Tallis Consort were absolutely amazing. I feel so lucky to have found them! From start to finish Chris was just fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. The singing was beautiful and they really made my father’s funeral such a moving service. I highly recommend them. Professional and so lovely and caring too. Thank you so much.

Jen

Outstanding in every way. Thank you!

Richard

The vocal group created a beautiful sound, which filled the large church with heavenly music. Several people in the congregation thought it was a recording, such was the clarity and beauty of the vocals we heard.

Kevin

We were over the moon with you guys, our best man heard you rehearsing when they arrived at the church and said it took their breath away! Your performances were incredible and we were so pleased to have your voices to bolster the hymn singing. All in all you guys were perfect, and were such lovely people to have as part of our ceremony. So many guests have commented on how brilliant the choir was and we can’t thank you enough for your really memorable contribution to our day!

Keira

For all bookings and enquiries

We would be delighted to work with you to make your event truly special.

Tallis Consort Quartet

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