Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
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The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is an English Anglican
choir A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...
. It was created by
King Henry VI Henry VI (6 December 1421 – 21 May 1471) was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. The only child of Henry V, he succeeded to the English throne at the age of eight months, upon ...
, who founded
King's College, Cambridge King's College, formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, is a List of colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college lies beside the River Cam and faces ...
, in 1441, to provide daily singing in his
Chapel A chapel (from , a diminutive of ''cappa'', meaning "little cape") is a Christianity, Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. First, smaller spaces inside a church that have their o ...
, which remains the main task of the choir to this day. Today the choir is directed by Daniel Hyde 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. The choir commissions a carol from a contemporary composer for each year's festival.


History


Early history

The original statutes specified that the choir should consist of ten chaplains, six clerks (lay singers) and 16 choristers who were to be "poor and needy boys, of sound condition and honest conversation ... knowing competently how to read and sing". Perhaps recognising the workload placed upon the choristers who were to sing Matins, Mass and Vespers daily, the statutes also stated that "they should be doubly occupied with their prescribed duties and with their education". By 1449 recruitment had resulted in this full choir being in place singing daily services. The choir sang High Mass, Lady Mass and from daybreak, the eight services of the
Liturgy of the Hours The Liturgy of the Hours (), Divine Office (), or ''Opus Dei'' ("Work of God") are a set of Catholic prayers comprising the canonical hours, often also referred to as the breviary, of the Latin Church. The Liturgy of the Hours forms the official ...
. In addition the boys alone sang daily "in the finest manner they know" the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also the evening votive antiphon. When Henry VI was deposed during the Wars of the Roses in 1461, a period of brief instability resulted in reduced numbers for a while due to lack of funds. However, in 1479 with the appointment of provost Walter Field the choir came to fulfil the full potential of Henry VI's vision. Field oversaw the acquisition of innovative polyphonic music in the
Eton Choirbook The Eton Choirbook (Eton College MS. 178) is a richly illuminated manuscript collection of England, English sacred music composed during the late 15th century. It was one of very few collections of Latin liturgical music to survive the English ...
style, and appointed a new
precentor A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is ''præcentor'', from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" (or alternatively, "first ...
with expertise in the complicated Salisbury Liturgy. A peak of splendour was reached under Robert Hacumblen, provost from 1509. This was maintained until the succession of Protestant
Edward VI Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and King of Ireland, Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine. The only surviving son of Henry VIII by his thi ...
in 1547, when a deterioration in choral music at King's began which lasted until the late Victorian period. During this time the choir were singing in a temporary chapel, with the main King's College Chapel still under construction. In 1506 Henry VII visited Cambridge and attended evensong, and afterwards resolved to fund continued construction. This was continued by his successor Henry VIII with choral services commencing in the completed chapel in 1544.
Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...
visited the chapel in 1564, and attended evensong on 5 August and again the following night, although she turned up late, causing the service to be restarted. It is recorded that pricksong was sung (an early form of polyphony with a melody performed as a counterpoint to a plainsong) as it likely had been since the foundation of the college. During
Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...
's rule the number of choral services was reduced, and departing choristers were not replaced. By 1651 there was only one chorister left and by 1654 there were none. Lay clerks were still retained during this time; it is likely that they sang secular anthems, including on
Guy Fawkes Night Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration list of minor secular observances#November, observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and firewor ...
. Upon the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, ten choristers were appointed immediately; the choir was at full strength by 1666. In 1827 a survey of choir schools in England noted of King's:


Reform during the nineteenth century

By the 1860s it was recognised that musical standards in the choir needed improvement. John Jebb's 1843 enquiry into Anglican choirs found that Amongst the lay clerks, whose duties were at this time divided by also singing at
Trinity The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, thr ...
, indiscipline and absenteeism were common. Reform began after the passing of the
Cambridge University Act 1856 The Cambridge University Act 1856The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by the Short Titles Act 1896, section 1 and the first schedule. Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised by section 19(2) of the Inter ...
, which enabled the statutes and governance of the college to be altered. Two chaplains and twelve lay clerks were specified, and sharing duties with Trinity was ended in 1871. The same year a new Master over the Choristers was appointed, who was tasked with being "watchful of their moral conduct" and "maintaining discipline without undue severity at all times". Conditions for choristers were improved with the intention of recruiting boys from a higher social background. They were given instruction in instrumental music and financial assistance upon leaving. To further widen the field for selection it was decided to open a boarding school instead of paying for choristers to be lodged with local families. From 1876 it was decreed that choristerships should be open to all candidates "whether resident in Cambridge or elsewhere" with those resident outside the city lodged at the expense of the college, and a purpose-built
King's College School King's College School, also known as Wimbledon, KCS, King's and KCS Wimbledon, is a Private schools in the United Kingdom, private Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Wimbledon, London, Wimbledon, southwest London, England. The s ...
was opened two years later. Also in 1876 it was decided that choral scholarships were to be awarded, with students replacing the permanently employed lay clerks. Existing contracts meant this was a slow process, with the last clerk leaving in 1928. 1876 also saw the appointment of a new organist on an increased salary, Arthur Henry Mann. There was little if any formal training of choir instructors at this time in England – most were organists who taught the choir following whatever technique they themselves had been subjected to as former choristers. Mann was fortunate in this regard having been a chorister at Norwich Cathedral under the renowned Zechariah Buck. Mann was therefore an outstanding choir trainer himself and greatly improved the reputation of King's College Choir. He worked on improving the diction and timing of the choir to allow them to work with the acoustic of the chapel and its particularly lengthy reverb. He also opened up services to the public, where previously visitors needed written permission to attend.


Membership of the Choir


Choristers

The statutes of the college provide for 16 choristers. These are boys who are educated at
King's College School King's College School, also known as Wimbledon, KCS, King's and KCS Wimbledon, is a Private schools in the United Kingdom, private Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Wimbledon, London, Wimbledon, southwest London, England. The s ...
. They come from a variety of backgrounds with bursaries being available to families unable to afford the subsidised school fees. Boys usually join the choir as probationers aged eight following a successful audition at age six or seven. After two years as probationers, they enter the choir as full choristers, departing three years later or earlier if their voice changes.


Choral scholars

From the beginning of the 20th century, the 14 lower voices of the choir have been provided by undergraduates who sing as choral scholars. These students must gain an academic place at
Cambridge University The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...
as well as successfully obtaining a choral award at King's College through an audition process. They remain in the choir throughout their typically three-year degree. Although some will study for a degree in music, many study other subjects, with only medicine and architecture being incompatible. Very occasionally, a
lay clerk A lay clerk, also known as a lay vicar, song man or a vicar choral, is a professional adult singer in an Anglican cathedral and often Roman Catholic cathedral in the UK, or (occasionally) college choir in Britain and Ireland. The vicars choral w ...
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, The King's Men, singing 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).


Groups spawned from the choral scholars

Various singing groups have been spawned from groups of Choral Scholars: * The King's Men, formerly known as Collegium Regale, made up of the current Choral Scholars * The
King's Singers The King's Singers are a British a cappella Choir, vocal ensemble founded in 1968. They are named after King's College, Cambridge, King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six Choir of King's College, Cambridge, chor ...
(1968–present) * The Scholars (1968-2010) and The Scholars Baroque Ensemble * The Light Blues * Pange Lingua, directed by Berty Rice (1990s) *
Polyphony Polyphony ( ) is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice ( monophony) or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chord ...
(1986–present)


Organ Scholars

The organ is played by two organ scholars, 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.


Performing and recording activities

The choir maintains a strong recording and touring schedule, in addition to its duties at King's College Chapel, in Cambridge.


Tours and performances

The choir first toured in 1936, visiting Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. In recent years, the choir has toured throughout Europe, the US, South America, Australia and Asia. The choir regularly performs in the United Kingdom, giving concerts in the major London concert halls, as well as at numerous festivals around the country. In 2013, the choir sang at the Prime Minister's Easter reception held at 10 Downing Street. The choir also performs with symphony orchestras, such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms in 2005 and 2009, the London Symphony Orchestra, and performs an annual Christmas concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra.


Recordings

The choir's first commercial release was a 1929 recording of Bach's 'God liveth still' and 'Up, up my heart with gladness' on the
His Master's Voice His Master's Voice is an entertainment trademark featuring a dog named Nipper, curiously peering into the horn of a wind-up gramophone. Painted by Francis Barraud in 1898, the image has since become a global symbol used across consumer elect ...
label, released in 1931. In 1963 the choir released a landmark recording of Allegri's ''Miserere'' featuring treble soloist Roy Goodman. A little-known work at the time, this release led to it becoming one of the most popular
a capella Music performed a cappella ( , , ; ), less commonly spelled acapella in English, is music performed by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...
choral works. The choir has recorded more than 100 albums, on the
EMI EMI Group Limited (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...
and
Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label * Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, musical theater record label * Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...
labels. In 2013 the choir launched its own label, King's College Recordings, which would allow it to gain more artistic freedom over its releases. Releases on this label include 100 Years of Nine Lessons and Carols which remained at number 1 in the classical charts for nine weeks. The choir has been innovative in its release of recordings, as apart from standard CDs they have offered
Super Audio CD Super Audio CD (SACD) is an optical disc format for audio storage introduced in 1999. It was developed jointly by Sony and Philips Electronics and intended to be the successor to the compact disc (CD) format. The SACD format allows multiple a ...
,
Dolby Atmos Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. It expands on existing surround sound systems by adding height channels as well as free-moving sound objects, interpreted as three-dimensional objects with neither horiz ...
, audio Blu-ray, and
24-bit Notable 24-bit machines include the CDC 924 – a 24-bit version of the CDC 1604, CDC lower 3000 series, SDS 930 and SDS 940, the ICT 1900 series, the Elliott 4100 series, and the Datacraft minicomputers/ Harris H series. The term SWORD ...
FLAC FLAC (; Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an audio coding format for lossless compression of digital audio, developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation, and is also the name of the free software project producing the FLAC tools, the reference software ...
download versions of albums. In 2013 the choir began making available recordings of its choral services. These can be listened to on the choir's website. In 2017 for the first time they made the Carols From King's televised Christmas service available as a video download.


Directors of music and organists

The choir is conducted by the director of music, a fellow of the college. Prior to 1876 the choir was conducted by the organist. * 1606–1619?:
John Tomkins John Patrick Tomkins is an American who was convicted of sending several threatening letters and bomb-like devices to financial firms in the Midwestern United States under the pseudonym The Bishop. A machinist and lifelong resident of Dubuque, Iowa ...
* 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 Pratt * 1855–1876: William Amps * 1876–1929: Arthur Henry Mann * 1929–1957: Boris Ord * 1940–1945:
Harold Darke Harold Edwin Darke (29 October 1888 – 28 November 1976) was an English composer and organist. He is particularly known for his choral compositions, which are an established part of the repertoire of Anglican church music. Darke had a fifty-ye ...
(Boris Ord's substitute during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
) * 1957–1973: Sir David Willcocks * 1974–1982: Sir Philip Ledger * 1982–2019: Sir Stephen Cleobury * 2019–present: Daniel Hyde


Notable musicians who are former members

*
James Adcock James Adcock (1778 – 30 April 1860) was an English choral singer and director. He was a native of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, Berkshire, England. In 1786, he joined the Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, choir of St. George's Chapel, Win ...
(lay clerk) – Master over the Choristers, composer * Ralph Allwood (lay clerk) – choral director * John Angel (lay clerk) – Gentleman of the Chapel Royal * Benjamin Bayl (organ scholar) – conductor * Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (chorister) – organist and composer * David Briggs (organ scholar) – organist * Timothy Byram-Wigfield (chorister) – organist * Timothy Brown (choral scholar) – conductor * Grayston Burgess (choral scholar) – countertenor * John Carol Case (choral scholar) – baritone * Clive Carey (chorister) – baritone and composer * Michael Chance (choral scholar) – countertenor *
Bob Chilcott Robert Chilcott (born 9 April 1955) is a British choir, choral composer, conducting, conductor, and singing, singer, based in Oxfordshire, England. He was a member of the King's Singers from 1985 to 1997, singing tenor. He has been a composer ...
(chorister and choral scholar) – composer * David Cordier (chorister) – countertenor * Robert Cowper (lay clerk) – composer * Sir Andrew Davis (organ scholar) – conductor * Richard Farnes (chorister and organ scholar) – conductor * Gerald Finley (choral scholar) – baritone *
Edward Gardner Edward Gardner may refer to: * Edward W. Gardner (1867–1932), American balkline and straight rail billiards champion * Edward Joseph Gardner (1898–1950), U.S. Representative from Ohio * Ed Gardner (1901–1963), American actor, director and wr ...
(choral scholar) – Director of Music, English National Opera * Orlando Gibbons (chorister) – composer * James Gilchrist (choral scholar) – tenor * Peter Godfrey (chorister and choral scholar) - choral conductor * Roy Goodman (chorister) – conductor * Francis Grier (organ scholar) – composer * Ashley Grote (chorister and organ scholar) – organist and conductor * David Goode (organ scholar) – organist * Daniel Hyde (organ scholar) – organist and conductor, returning as Director of Music * Guy Johnston (chorister) – cellist * Brian Kay (choral scholar) – bass and radio presenter * Andrew Kennedy (choral scholar) – tenor * Stephen Layton (organ scholar) – conductor, director of Polyphony * Tim Mead (choral scholar) – countertenor * Mark Padmore (choral scholar) - tenor * Ben Parry (musician) (choral volunteer) - composer and conductor * Julian Perkins (choral scholar) – conductor and keyboard player * Quentin Poole (chorister) – oboist and conductor * John Potter (chorister) – tenor and academic * Simon Preston (chorister and organ scholar) – organist and conductor * Christopher Purves (chorister) – bass-baritone * Robert Quinney (organ scholar) – choral director and organist * Ashley Riches (choral scholar) – baritone * Nigel Rogers (choral scholar) – tenor * Richard Salter (choral scholar) – baritone * Mark Stone (choral scholar) – baritone * Robin Tyson (choral scholar) – countertenor * Robert Tear (choral scholar) – tenor * Fred Tomlinson (chorister) – singer and songwriter for
Monty Python Monty Python, also known as the Pythons, were a British comedy troupe formed in 1969 consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The group came to prominence for the sketch comedy ser ...
* Thomas Trotter (organ scholar) – organist *
Christopher Tye Christopher Tye (before 1573) was an English Renaissance music, Renaissance composer and organist. Probably born in Cambridgeshire, he trained at the University of Cambridge and became the master of the choir at Ely Cathedral. He is noted as the ...
(chorister and lay clerk) – composer * Stephen Varcoe (choral scholar) – bass-baritone * James Vivian (organ scholar) – organist * Sir
David Willcocks Sir David Valentine Willcocks, (30 December 1919 – 17 September 2015) was a British choral conductor, organist, composer and music administrator. He was particularly well known for his association with the Choir of King's College, Cambridg ...
(organ scholar) – conductor * Jonathan Willcocks (chorister) – composer and conductor.


References


Further reading

* Day, Timothy: ''I Saw Eternity the Other Night: King's College, Cambridge, and an English Singing Style'', Allen Lane (2018);


External links

*
The recording label of King’s College, Cambridge

The King's Men, the Choral Scholars of King's College, Cambridge


{{Authority control Musical groups established in the 15th century Kings Kings King's College, Cambridge Kings EMI Classics and Virgin Classics artists 1441 establishments in England