Repertoire Revival: Beyond Robbie Williams

Written By Will Prideaux

Let’s be honest — Robbie Williams’ “Angels” isn’t a choral masterpiece. It’s great at karaoke. But male choirs deserve more than pop arrangements with three chords and clunky harmonies.

Our repertoire is stagnant. That’s not just me being picky — it’s backed by data. Most male choirs spend less than £500 a year on music. That’s one or two new pieces a year, tops.

Why does this matter? Because what we sing defines who we are. Our sound. Our culture. Our appeal.

Instead of another medley from the Sixties, how about something new? Original compositions are written for choirs — not adapted. They respect the voice. They challenge. They excite.

Explore the Choral Public Domain Library. Look up Chor Leoni, the extraordinary Vancouver-based men’s choir. Follow collegiate men’s ensembles in the States. Seek out the adventurous, the emotional, the harmonically rich.

And no, adventurous doesn’t mean “hard.” It means thoughtful. It means quality.

Let your music tell the story of who you are now, not who you were in 1978.

Will Prideaux

Will Prideaux is a choral conductor, educator, and director of Peterborough Sings!, the award-winning choral organisation behind Peterborough Male Voice Choir, Peterborough Voices, and Peterborough Youth Choir. A graduate of Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, William is known for his work revitalising the male choir sector through inclusive leadership, bold repertoire, and project-based recruitment. He has worked with leading ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra, and has been recognised as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music. A passionate advocate for musical excellence and community engagement, William is shaping the future of choral singing—one rehearsal at a time.

https://www.peterboroughsings.org.uk/willprideaux-biography
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