Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Encyclopedia
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI
, who founded King's College, Cambridge
in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel
, which remains the main task of the choir to this day.
Today the choir is directed by Stephen Cleobury
and derives much of its fame from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
, broadcast worldwide to millions on Christmas Eve every year, and the TV service Carols from King's which accompanies it.
. From the beginning of the 20th Century fourteen Undergraduates have also sung in the choir as Choral Scholars
.
Former members of the Choir (including Directors of Music and Organ Scholars) are able to join the King's College Choir Association.
Two of the Choral Scholars are assigned the role of Beater, as Senior and Junior Beater (traditionally the Senior Choral Scholar and his pre-chosen successor); these two are also usually responsible for the direction of Collegium Regale. These two Choral Scholars usually 'beat' (conduct while in the stalls) the psalms
, and often the introit
, during the service, even when the Director of Music is present.
Very occasionally, a Lay Clerk
may be appointed in place of a Choral Scholar, usually if a vacancy arises unexpectedly: for example, when a student, having gained a conditional place at the college (subject to A-level grades being achieved) fails to meet the conditions. Such Lay Clerks have, to all intents and purposes, the same status as a Choral Scholar. The few Lay Clerks that have existed (since the establishment of Choral Scholars) have often been Choral Scholars agreeing to remain for an additional year.
The Choral Scholars form collectively, in their spare time, a separate group, Collegium Regale (Latin for 'King's College'), which sings a wide range of music written for men's voices, from early music through to Barbershop arrangements
(many of the latter having been written exclusively for the group by present/former Choral Scholars).
Various singing groups have been spawned from groups of Choral Scholars:
s, who, like the Choral Scholars, are students (typically undergraduates) at the College. An Organ Scholarship is awarded as necessary to ensure that there are always two undergraduate Organists in the College - a new Scholar is appointed to arrive when the previous one graduates.
If the Director of Music is not present for any reason, an Organ Scholar takes responsibility for conducting the Choir.
Previous tours have included:
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
, who founded King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
King's College Chapel is the chapel to King's College of the University of Cambridge, and is one of the finest examples of late Gothic English architecture, while its early Renaissance rood screen separating the nave and chancel, erected in 1532-36 in a striking contrast of style, has been called...
, which remains the main task of the choir to this day.
Today the choir is directed by Stephen Cleobury
Stephen Cleobury
Stephen Cleobury CBE is an English organist and conductor. He was organ scholar at St John's College, Cambridge and sub-organist of Westminster Abbey before becoming Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in 1979...
and derives much of its fame from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Nine Lessons and Carols
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a format for a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas...
, broadcast worldwide to millions on Christmas Eve every year, and the TV service Carols from King's which accompanies it.
Membership of the Choir
The statutes of the College provide for sixteen choristers. These are boys who are educated at King's College SchoolKing's College School Cambridge
King's College School is a mixed private preparatory school in Cambridge, England, situated on West Road off Grange Road, west of the city centre. It is an integral part of and receives some funding and its name from King's College, a college of the University of Cambridge as it was founded to...
. From the beginning of the 20th Century fourteen Undergraduates have also sung in the choir as Choral Scholars
Choral scholar
A choral scholar is a student either at a university or private school who receives a scholarship in exchange for singing in the school or university's choir...
.
Former members of the Choir (including Directors of Music and Organ Scholars) are able to join the King's College Choir Association.
Directors of Music
The Choir is conducted by the Director of Music, a Fellow of the College.- 1606-1619?: John Tomkins
- 1622-1623: Matthew Barton
- 1624-1626: Giles Tomkins
- 1627-1670: Henry Loosemore
- 1670-1726: Thomas Tudway
- 1726-1742: Robert Fuller
- 1742-1799: John Randall
- 1799-1855: John Henry PrattJohn Henry PrattJohn Henry Pratt was a British clergyman and mathematician who devised a theory of crustal balance which would become the basis for the isostasy principle.-Life:...
- 1855-1876: William Amps
- 1876–1929: Arthur Henry MannArthur Henry MannArthur Henry Mann was an English organist and composer of hymn tunes including "Angel's Story" which was originally written for the hymn 'I love to hear the story', but is also sung to the words 'O Jesus, I have promised.'-Education:Mann graduated from New College, Oxford...
- 1929–1957: Boris OrdBoris OrdBoris Ord , born Bernhard Ord, was an English organist, composer and musical director best known as the choir master of King's College, Cambridge....
- 1940–1945: Harold DarkeHarold DarkeDr Harold Edwin Darke was an English composer and organist.Darke was born in Highbury, London the youngest son of Samuel Darke & Arundel Bourne...
(Boris Ord's substitute during the war) - 1957–1973: Sir David Willcocks
- 1974–1982: Sir Philip LedgerPhilip LedgerSir Philip Ledger CBE is a British classical musician and academic. He is best-known for his tenure as director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge between 1973 and 1982 and as director of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until his retirement in 2001...
- 1982–present: Stephen CleoburyStephen CleoburyStephen Cleobury CBE is an English organist and conductor. He was organ scholar at St John's College, Cambridge and sub-organist of Westminster Abbey before becoming Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in 1979...
Choral Scholars
The fourteen Choral Scholars are male students (usually Undergraduates) at the College. Choral Scholars must succeed at both the general entry requirements of the College as well as the Choral Trials in order to join the Choir.Two of the Choral Scholars are assigned the role of Beater, as Senior and Junior Beater (traditionally the Senior Choral Scholar and his pre-chosen successor); these two are also usually responsible for the direction of Collegium Regale. These two Choral Scholars usually 'beat' (conduct while in the stalls) the psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
, and often the introit
Introit
The Introit is part of the opening of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations. In its most complete version, it consists of an antiphon, psalm verse and Gloria Patri that is spoken or sung at the beginning of the celebration...
, during the service, even when the Director of Music is present.
Very occasionally, a Lay Clerk
Lay clerk
A lay clerk, also known as a lay vicar, song man or a vicar choral, is a professional adult singer in a Cathedral or collegiate choir in the United Kingdom. The Vicars Choral were substitutes for the Canons...
may be appointed in place of a Choral Scholar, usually if a vacancy arises unexpectedly: for example, when a student, having gained a conditional place at the college (subject to A-level grades being achieved) fails to meet the conditions. Such Lay Clerks have, to all intents and purposes, the same status as a Choral Scholar. The few Lay Clerks that have existed (since the establishment of Choral Scholars) have often been Choral Scholars agreeing to remain for an additional year.
The Choral Scholars form collectively, in their spare time, a separate group, Collegium Regale (Latin for 'King's College'), which sings a wide range of music written for men's voices, from early music through to Barbershop arrangements
Barbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
(many of the latter having been written exclusively for the group by present/former Choral Scholars).
Groups spawned from the Choral Scholars
- Collegium Regale, made up of the current Choral Scholars
- The King's SingersKing's SingersThe King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
(1968–present) - The ScholarsThe Scholars (Vocal Group)The Scholars is the name of an English a cappella group of 4-5 solo singers active 1968-2010, mainly in the field of classical music. In the USA they were also known as The Scholars of London and The Voices of London.-Membership:...
(1968-2010) and The Scholars Baroque Ensemble - Pange Lingua, directed by Berty Rice (1990s)
- PolyphonyPolyphony (choir)Polyphony is a small English choir formed by Stephen Layton for one particular concert put on in King's College, Cambridge in 1986. They have released many critically acclaimed recordings, the most recent of which is Bruckner - Mass in E Minor and Motets. They record and perform a wide range of...
(1986–present)
Notable former members
- Ralph AllwoodRalph AllwoodRalph Allwood was the Precentor and Director of Music at Eton College in the UK until September 2011. He is a British conductor and has set up many musical events, including the Eton Choral Courses of which there are now seven a year....
- Precentor and Director of Music, Eton College - Clive CareyClive CareyFrancis Clive Savill Carey CBE , known as Clive Carey, was a British baritone, singing teacher, composer, opera producer and folk song collector.-Biography:Clive Carey was born at Sible Hedingham, Essex in 1883...
- Baritone and composer - Michael ChanceMichael ChanceMichael Chance CBE is an English countertenor.Chance was born in Penn, Buckinghamshire, into a musical family. After growing up as a chorister he attended Eton College, Berkshire, and later King's College, Cambridge...
- Countertenor - Sir Andrew DavisAndrew DavisAndrew Davis is the name of:* Andrew Jackson Davis , American spiritualist* Andy Davis , Washington Redskins player* Andrew Davis , American film director* Andrew M...
- Conductor - Richard FarnesRichard FarnesRichard Farnes is a British conductor, and is currently Music Director of Opera North.- Education :Farnes was a chorister at King's College, Cambridge before entering Eton College as a music scholar in 1977...
- Director of Music, Opera North - Gerald FinleyGerald Finley-Career:He was born in Montreal and received his musical education in St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Ottawa, the University of Ottawa, King's College, Cambridge and the Royal College of Music in London, England...
- Baritone - Edward GardnerEdward Gardner (conductor)Edward Gardner is a British conductor.Gardner sang as a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral. As a youth, he played piano, clarinet and organ. He attended the King's School, Gloucester and Eton College. At the University of Cambridge, he continued as a music student, and was a choral scholar in...
- Director of Music, English National Opera - Orlando GibbonsOrlando GibbonsOrlando Gibbons was an English composer, virginalist and organist of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods...
- Composer - James Gilchrist (tenor)James Gilchrist (tenor)James Gilchrist is a British tenor specialising in recital and oratoria singing. He began his working life as a doctor, turning to a full-time music career in 1996...
- Tenor - David Goode - Organist
- Timothy Gowers - Mathematician
- Andrew KennedyAndrew Kennedy (tenor)Andrew Kennedy is an English tenor. He was a chorister at Durham Cathedral, attended Uppingham School, and then a Choral Scholar at King's College, Cambridge...
- Tenor - Stephen LaytonStephen LaytonStephen Layton is an English conductor.Layton was raised in Derby, where his father was a church organist. Layton learned the piano as a youth. He was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, and subsequently won scholarships to Eton College and then King's College, Cambridge as an organ...
- Conductor, Director of Polyphony - Mark PadmoreMark PadmoreMark Padmore is a British tenor appearing in concerts, recitals, and opera.Born in London 8 March 1961, and raised in Canterbury, Kent in England. Padmore studied clarinet and piano prior to his gaining a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge...
- Tenor - Simon PrestonSimon PrestonSimon John Preston CBE is an English organist, conductor, and composer.- Early life :He attended the Canford School in Wimborne in Dorset. Originally a chorister at King's College, Cambridge, he studied the organ with C. H...
- Organist and Conductor - Mark Stone - Baritone
- Robert TearRobert TearRobert Tear, CBE was a Welsh tenor and conductor.Tear was born in Barry, Glamorgan, Wales, UK, the son of Thomas and Edith Tear. He attended Barry Boys' Grammar School and during this period sang in the chorus of the first Welsh National Opera's production of 'Cavalleria Rusticana' in April 1946...
- Tenor - Thomas TrotterThomas TrotterThomas Trotter is a British concert organist. He is Birmingham City Organist and organist of St. Margaret's, Westminster and visiting Professor of Organ at the Royal College of Music, London....
- Organist - Stephen VarcoeStephen VarcoeStephen Varcoe is an English classical bass-baritone singer, appearing internationally in opera and concert, known for Baroque and contemporary music and a notable singer of Lieder.- Professional career :...
- bass-baritone - Sir David Willcocks - Conductor
- Bob ChilcottBob ChilcottRobert "Bob" Chilcott is a British choral composer, conductor, and singer, based in Oxford, England.Born in Plymouth, Chilcott sang in the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, both as a boy and as a university student. He performed the Pie Jesu of Fauré's Requiem on the 1967 recording. In 1985 he...
- Composer
Organ Scholars
The organ is played by two Organ ScholarOrgan scholar
An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
s, who, like the Choral Scholars, are students (typically undergraduates) at the College. An Organ Scholarship is awarded as necessary to ensure that there are always two undergraduate Organists in the College - a new Scholar is appointed to arrive when the previous one graduates.
If the Director of Music is not present for any reason, an Organ Scholar takes responsibility for conducting the Choir.
Tours
The Choir often tours externally, usually involving longer tours in the summer and at Christmas, and shorter stays throughout the year.Previous tours have included:
- 1982 - Japan
- 1983 - Australia and New Zealand
- 1984 - Belgium, Holland, West Germany
- 1985 - USA and Canada
- 1986 - Finland, Germany (East & West)
- 1987 - Japan
- 1988 - Spain and USA
- 1989 - Australia and New Zealand
- 1990 - Italy, Switzerland, France
- 1991 - USA
- 1992 - France
- 1993 - Holland and Australia
- 1994 - Holland, Italy, Belgium, Spain, France
- 1995 - Bermuda, USA, Germany, Belgium, France, Holland
- 1996 - Denmark and South Africa
- 1997 - Barbados, USA and Canada
- Summer 1998 - Hong Kong and Australia
- January 2000 - Bermuda
- April 2000 - France (Paris)
- July-August 2000 - Far East (Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Tokyo) and the USA
- June 2001 - Netherlands (Haarlem)
- September 2001 - Belgium
- December 2001 - France (Paris)
- April 2001 - Greece (Athens, Thessaloniki)
- July-August 2001 - Australia
- Summer 2002 - Belgium
- Summer 2003 - Germany
- December 2003 - Netherlands
- Summer 2004 - Hong Kong
- December 2004 - USA
- July 2005 - Germany
- September 2005 - Italy (Turin) and Belgium
- December 2005 - Switzerland, Holland
- January 2006 - Italy (Genoa, Florence and Perugia)
- May 2006 - Germany (Stuttgart)
- September 2006 - Sweden (Gothenburg)
- December 2006 - Far East (Korea and Singapore)
- June 2007 - Turkey (Istanbul Festival)
- August 2007 - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland
- September 2007 - France (Ambronay) and Germany (Bonn)
- December 2007 - Brazil (São Paulo)
- April 2008 - USA (New York, Chicago, St Louis, Baltimore, Dallas, St. Paul/Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Westport CT, Ann Arbor MI)
- September 2008 - Italy (Stresa Festival) and Belgium (Gent Festival)
- November 2008 - Portugal (Porto)
- December 2008 - Italy (Rome) and Netherlands (Amsterdam and Eindhoven)
- July 2009 - Singapore (Singapore), China (Hong Kong) and China/Taiwan (Taipei)
Recordings
Recent recordings under the EMI Classics label include:- 2008 - Christmas at King's
- 2007 - I Heard a Voice - Music of the Golden Age
- 2006 - Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
- 2006 - PurcellPurcellHenry Purcell was an English composer.Purcell may also refer to:*Purcell, Indiana, an unincorporated community in Johnson Township, Knox County, Indiana*Purcell, Missouri, a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States...
: Music for Queen Mary - 2005 - On Christmas Day
- 2005 - Gregorian ChantGregorian chantGregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
- 2005 - John RutterJohn RutterJohn Milford Rutter CBE is a British composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music.-Biography:Born in London, Rutter was educated at Highgate School, where a fellow pupil was John Tavener. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the...
: Gloria - 2005 - Heavenly Voices
- 2004 - Rachmaninov: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
- 2002 - Vivaldi: Gloria, Magnificat, Dixit Dominus
- 2001 - HandelHANDELHANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
: Coronation Anthems - 2001 - Best Loved Hymns
- 2000 - BachBạchBạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
: MagnificatMagnificatThe Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn... - 1999 - Rachmaninov: VespersVespersVespers is the evening prayer service in the Western Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies of the canonical hours...
- 1998 - Rutter: RequiemRequiemA Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...