Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Choir
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
Founded 1441
Founder Henry VI of England
Members
  • 16 boy choristers aged 7–13
  • 14 adult choral scholars
Music director Stephen Cleobury
Website http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/choir/index.html

The King's College Choir is a British choir. It is considered one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great English choral tradition.[1] 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.[2]

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. The choir commissions a carol from a contemporary composer for each year's Festival.

History

Early history

The statutes specify that the choir consists of ten chaplains, six clerks (lay singers) and sixteen 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".[3]

When Henry VI was deposed during the Wars of the Roses in 1460, the choir was probably reduced in numbers due to lack of funds, although by 1467 the full choir was in residence again. During this time the choir were singing in a temporary chapel, with the main King's College Chapel still being under construction. On 22 April 1506 Henry VII visited Cambridge and attended evensong, and the following day heard mass with Bishop John Fisher. Following this visit, he resolved to fund continued construction, which was continued by his successor Henry VIII, completion finally coming in 1536.[3]

Elizabeth I 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 polyphony with a melody performed as a counterpoint to a plainsong) as it likely had been since the foundation of the college.[3]

During Oliver Cromwell's rule the number of choral services were 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. Upon the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, ten choristers were appointed immediately; the choir was at full strength by 1666.[3]

In 1827 a survey of choir schools in England noted of King's: "the Choristers attend service in the Chapel once a day in the afternoon on common days; on Sundays and Saints' days twice, morning and evening. They are also permitted to sing at the Chapels of other Colleges, and at St. Mary's Church. They are instructed in singing by the organist, and in reading, writing, and arithmetic by a master appointed by the College. The Statutes prescribe that they should be under 12 years of age at their admission. They are generally admitted about eight years of age, and leave the Choir when the voice breaks."[4]

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 "in Cambridge, the Choral Service has suffered mutilation in every place where it is retained. King's College has reduced the original number of its Conduct Chaplains from three to one; and though retaining its sixteen Choristers (which evidently were intended to be proportionate to a more numerous body of adult singers), there are but a small number of Clerks, too weak for the magnificent organ which accompanies them, and for the unrivalled Chapel where they minister. The Choir indeed attends twice daily; but the prayers are not chanted (a very modern innovation), and at the Sunday morning service the Nicene Creed is not sung."[5]. Amongst the lay clerks, whose duties were at this time divided by also singing at Trinity, indiscipline and absenteeism were common.[3]

Reform began after the passing of the Cambridge University Act 1856, 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 disciple 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.[3]

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 was opened two years later.[3] 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.[6] 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.[3] He also opened up services to the public, where previously visitors needed written permission to attend.[7]

Membership of the Choir

Choristers

The statutes of the College provide for sixteen choristers. These are boys who are educated at King's College School. They come from a variety of backgrounds with bursaries being available to families unable to afford the subsidised school fees.[8] 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.[9]

Choral Scholars

From the beginning of the 20th century the fourteen 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 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.[10]

Fan Vault

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, 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 (1968–present)
  • The Scholars (1968-2010) and The Scholars Baroque Ensemble
  • Pange Lingua, directed by Berty Rice (1990s)
  • Polyphony (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.[3] In recent years, the choir has toured throughout Europe, the US, South America, Australia and Asia.[11]

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 of King's College, Cambridge 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 at the Royal Albert Hall.

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 HMV label, released in 1931.[12][13] 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 choral works.[14][15]

The choir has recorded more than 100 albums, on the EMI and Decca 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.[16][17] Releases on this label include Nine Lessons and Carols, with a selection of music from its Christmas Eve service, Mozart Requiem: Realisations, containing Mozart's Requiem, as well as full movements completed by other composers, and Britten's St Nicolas. The choir has been innovative in its release of recordings, as apart from standard CDs they have offered Super Audio CD, Dolby Atmos, audio Blu-ray, and 24-bit FLAC download versions of albums.[18]

From 2013 the choir has also begun making available recordings of its choral services. These can be listened to from the choir's web site.[19] In 2017 for the first time they will make the Carol's From King's televised Christmas service available as a video download.[20]

Recordings on the choir's own label, King's College, Cambridge, include:

  • 2016 - Evensong Live 2016
  • 2016 - Hymns from King's
  • 2015 - 1615 Gabrieli in Venice
  • 2015 - Evensong Live 2015
  • 2015 - English Hymn Anthems
  • 2014 - Favourite Carols from King's
  • 2014 - Fauré Requiem
  • 2013 - Britten: St Nicolas (with the Britten Sinfonia)
  • 2013 - Mozart Requiem: Realisations (with the Academy of Ancient Music)
  • 2012 - Nine Lessons and Carols

Recordings under the EMI Classics label include:

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.[21]

The current Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury, will retire on 30 September 2019.[22] Daniel Hyde of Saint Thomas, Fifth Avenue has been appointed as Director of Music elect. He will take office from 1 October 2019.[23]

Notable musicians who are former members

Great Court of King's College

References

  1. ↑ André de Quadros, ed. (2012). The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music. Cambridge University Press. p. 98. ISBN 9780521111737.
  2. ↑ Michael White (3 July 2017). "Choir brings the floating resonance of King's College Chapel to St Jude's Prom". etcetera. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Henderson, RJ (1981). A History of King's College Choir School Cambridge. ISBN 978-0950752808.
  4. ↑ Hackett, Maria (1827). A Brief Account Of Cathedral And Collegiate Schools. J.B. Nichols, Parliament Street.
  5. ↑ Jebb, John (1843). The choral service of the United Church of England and Ireland. John W. Parker, West Strand.
  6. ↑ Burk, Ian (2002). "Establishing Vocal Lineage: A.E. Floyd and the Voice Production of the Choirboys of St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne, 1915–1947" (PDF). Context. 24: 37–38.
  7. ↑ Coghlan, Alexandra (2016). Carols From King's. BBC Books. ISBN 9781785940941.
  8. ↑ Emma Higginbotham (19 December 2015). "Behind the scenes with the choristers of The Choir of King's College, Cambridge". Cambridge News. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  9. ↑ Fiona Maddocks (21 December 2014). "Stephen Cleobury: 'The next auditions are on 24 January so get in touch'". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  10. ↑ "Choral Scholars". King's College, Cambridge. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  11. ↑ Gripper, Ali (18 July 2014). "Choir of King's College, Cambridge, to tour Australia". Sydney Morning Herald. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ↑ "First recording of King's College under 'Daddy' Mann, 1929". Archive of Recorded Church Music. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  13. ↑ Timothy Day (2014), "Cultural History and a Singing Style: "The English Cathedral Tradition"", The Oxford Handbook of Singing, doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199660773.013.021
  14. ↑ Classic CD Issues 94-100, 1998, p. 64
  15. ↑ Joe Staines (2001). The Rough Guide to Classical Music. ISBN 978-1858287218.
  16. ↑ "Choir of King's College Cambridge launches new recording initiative". Gramophone. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  17. ↑ "King's College Choir launches its own record label".
  18. ↑ Andrew Everard (7 December 2015). "Dolby Atmos – taking music into a new dimension". Gramophone. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  19. ↑ http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/news/2013/services-online.html
  20. ↑ "Carols broadcast to be released". King's College, Cambridge. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  21. ↑ Watkins Shaw (1991). The Succession of Organists of the Chapel Royal and the Cathedrals of England and Wales from c.1538. Clarendon Press.
  22. ↑ "King's advertises for a new Director of Music".
  23. ↑ "King's College Cambridge names Daniel Hyde as new music director". Gramophone. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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