The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and Graham Ross celebrate John Rutter's 80th birthday (on 24th September) by releasing a special album of choral pieces linked to Clare College. The album includes pieces that Rutter wrote when he was a student himself at Clare College; when he was director of the Choir in the mid-1970s, and pieces comissioned or gifted to Clare over the years, some of which are recorded here for the very first time.

Graham Ross says: "No other living English composer has made a greater contribution to choral music worldwide than John Rutter. Sir John’s ability to write a new melody that somehow at once feels familiar and memorable, combined with an immaculate intertwining of harmony and word setting, has resulted in a large body of works that are performed and enjoyed by amateur and professional musicians alike across the globe. A lifelong ambassador for choral music and the arts, John’s unwavering commitment has extended far beyond his own music, working as a highly-distinguished editor, publisher, conductor, speaker, and record producer, to name but a few of the strings to his bow. He also happens to be one of the most kind and generous individuals in the business.

For over six decades Clare College has enjoyed a close associationwith John and his music. As my predecessor but-one, John was instrumental in bringing Clare and its music onto the national and international stage, directing what was then Cambridge’s first ever mixed voice choir in its early days after the College had gone co-educational in the early 1970s. This new album is a celebration of Sir John’s music from his alma mater, with a number of the works indelibly linked with Clare College – some instantly familiar, others recorded here for the first time. It is as much a personal tribute as it is public: the success that Clare music enjoys today owes much to John, and I am much indebted to him for his friendship and support throughout my career to date. This is truly A Clare College Celebration of one of our College’s most distinguished musical alumni."