The King's Singers

The King's Singers
Origin Cambridge, England
Founding 1968
Genre Classical
Pop
Members David Hurley
Timothy Wayne-Wright
Julian Gregory
Christopher Bruerton
Christopher Gabbitas
Jonathan Howard
Website kingssingers.com

The King's Singers are a British a cappella vocal ensemble founded in 1968. They are named after King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s. Thereafter they began to reach a wider international audience, appearing frequently on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the U.S. In 1987, they were prominently featured as guests on the Emmy Award winning ABC-TV special Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas.

Today the ensemble travels worldwide for its performances, appearing in around 125 concerts each year, mostly in Europe, the U.S. and the Far East, having recently added the People's Republic of China to their list of touring territories. In recent years the group have had several UK appearances at the Royal Albert Hall Proms and concerts as part of the Three Choirs Festival and the City of London Festival.

History

The group has always consisted of six singers in total, with their membership changing over the years. None of the original members remain. The first stable incarnation of the group, from late 1969 until 1978, comprised:

The current ensemble is composed of (starting year in brackets):

Former members of the King's Singers also include Jeremy Jackman, Bob Chilcott, Nigel Short, Bill Ives, Bruce Russell, Colin Mason, Gabriel Crouch, Stephen Parham-Connolly, Robin Tyson, Philip Lawson, and Paul Phoenix. Countertenor David Hurley announced his plans to retire from the group in August 2016.[1] There have been 24 members of the King's Singers since the original stable group was established in late 1969, for whom the average length of tenure is around 12 years.

Around the year 2000, the King's Singers briefly called themselves king'singers (with a lower case k and a single s), as can be seen on the cover of Fire-Water[2] and several song sheets.[3] This name change did not last long, but the current circular logo originates from this name.

Early years

Prior to the establishment of the original stable male-only group cited above, several of the parts were taken by other singers, including three females. The four founding members, who first sang together within a six-man group in 1965, were Alastair Hume, Alastair Thompson, Simon Carrington and Brian Kay. From 1965 until 1968 the first countertenor was Martin Lane and the first baritone was Richard Salter. It was this group of six singers who gave the first concert under the name of the King's Singers on 1 May 1968 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Simon Preston (organ) and Barry Tuckwell (horn). Later in 1968, Martin Lane developed a brain tumour and had to withdraw from the group; Felicity Palmer stood in during 1969 until Nigel Perrin graduated that summer. Then, in 1969, Richard Salter was awarded a Richard Tauber Scholarship and left for Vienna; Nigel Beavan filled the gap until Anthony Holt became available towards the end of the year. Other singers who served as short-term group members were Eleanor Capp, Caryl Newnham and, on one occasion, James Bowman, all of whom took the first countertenor (soprano) role in 1969 when Felicity Palmer was unavailable. For a brief time after he joined the King's Singers, Nigel Perrin also belonged to the Scholars; when double-booked, his King's Singers' duties were fulfilled by Richard Baker (note: not the familiar BBC broadcaster). Neil Jenkins sang tenor in the early pre-King's Singers group's first summer singing tour in 1965, and Peter Hall was another tenor used by the fledgling pre-King's Singers group.<ref name=The King's Singers: A Self-Portrait>Singers, The King's (1980). The King's Singers: A Self-Portrait. Robson Books. ISBN 0-86051-109-X. </ref>[4]

Madrigal History Tour

In 1984, the members of the King's Singers (who at the time included two founding members, Alastair Hume and Simon Carrington) presented, narrated and sang in Madrigal History Tour, a six-part BBC television documentary series about the history of the madrigal in Western Europe. (The name was a play on the Beatles album Magical Mystery Tour.) The series also featured the early music ensemble The Consort of Musicke, playing together with and separately from the King's Singers. The series was accompanied by an album, also called Madrigal History Tour.

20th anniversary

The King's Singers' 20th anniversary concert in 1988, at the Barbican, featured a surprise reunion, in which all King's Singers to date reunited on stage, introduced individually (with membership dates, counting from 1968) by Prunella Scales.[5]

40th anniversary

Fortieth anniversary celebration concerts included two "best of" concerts at Cadogan Hall, London, on 30 April 2008, and a performance the following day in the chapel of King's College Cambridge, as well as concerts in Paris, Rome, Berlin, New York and Tokyo.

Influences

The group cites as its influences The Hi-Lo's vocal jazz group,[6][7] the Comedian Harmonists,[7] the Mastersingers[7] and (perhaps most importantly) the style of singing instilled into them by Sir David Willcocks, their Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge. It was this serene and precise sound, with vibrato used only as a colour rather than a default setting, that was expanded by the early King's Singers to be used on all genres of music, from renaissance church repertoire such as they had performed as part of the daily chapel services at the university, to pop/jazz/folk/spiritual arrangements that were soon added to their concert programmes.

The group has also inspired musicians in other countries to create similar ensembles, e.g. Affabre Concinui in Poland.

Repertoire

They took hold of the idea that concerts need not contain merely one form of music; audiences could be educated as well as entertained. For those who came expecting pop music there would be classical music as well, and vice versa. This started out of necessity; for their first few concerts the group simply had to perform everything they knew in order to fill a concert programme, and this included religious music from their chapel library, along with folksongs and other "lollipops". Over the years their library has expanded so that it now includes some 2,000 works of all styles. The group is best known for its a cappella performances which have as a foundation a strong bass/baritone blend on which the other voices sit, a principle known as the "Pyramid of Sound". In addition, the King's Singers have frequently performed with instruments, both in recordings and in concert. One of their most famous songs is "You Are The New Day".

Concert structure

Most of their a cappella concerts are divided into five distinct groups of pieces. The first four vary widely (madrigals, folk songs, recently commissioned pieces, etc.) but are generally taken from the serious side of the group's repertoire, but the last group of the concert is typically a "close harmony" set. Often it consists of lighter fare, including music of The Beatles, Billy Joel, Queen, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen or Irving Berlin, many of which have been arranged for the group by composers such as Richard Rodney Bennett, Jeremy Lubbock, Bob Chilcott, Philip Lawson and John Rutter. Sometimes the final set (in a concert of religious music) will be a spiritual harmony set – entitled "Songs of Faith and Hope". This set could be composed of American Spirituals, arranged by contemporary composers, including former group members Philip Lawson and Bob Chilcott. Pieces in this set could include "Simple Gifts", "Deep River", "Down to the River to Pray", and "Stand Still, Jordan" as well as more spiritual pop songs such as "Some Folks Lives Roll Easy" by Paul Simon.

More recently, however, the King's Singers have begun to perform "concept programmes" which have a set theme running throughout. These could be simply a 60-minute first-half sequence, often performed in European cathedral concerts, with a Mass or Requiem setting providing the backbone, interspersed with other shorter works, or a more fundamental concept which infuses every piece performed. Examples of this latter art include "Sacred Bridges", a programme of Jewish, Islamic and Christian settings of Psalms, performed with Vladimir Ivanoff and his ensemble "Saraband". The group have also created concert programmes relating to recent CD recordings, including "Landscape and Time" and "Treason and Dischord", the latter a programme commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot and including a script read in live performances by actors Joss Ackland and Bill Wallis. The group works closely with concert promoters and local agents to determine the best possible programme for each concert, whether for church, concert hall, open-air venue or private house.

Modern repertoire

The King's Singers are also known for frequently commissioning works from contemporary composers. Starting with "Timepiece", commissioned by the Camden Festival in 1972 from composer Paul Patterson (and still regularly performed today), they have continued by commissioning pieces from (amongst others) Sally Beamish, Bob Chilcott, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Howard Goodall, Daron Hagen, Jackson Hill, Graham Lack, Libby Larsen, György Ligeti, John McCabe, Ivan Moody, Jocelyn Pook, Geoffrey Poole, Francis Pott, Ned Rorem, Joby Talbot, Sir John Tavener and Malcolm Williamson. In 2008 they performed a piece commissioned jointly for them and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain written by Eric Whitacre.

Awards

In February 2009 their CD, Simple Gifts, won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album. In February 2012 they won Best Choral Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards along with Eric Whitacre for the album Light and Gold, on which they performed "The Stolen Child", written for the group by Whitacre. Their DVD, "Live at the BBC Proms", won a MIDEM Award at the annual ceremony in Cannes in 2010 for Best DVD Performance.

Activities of former members

Many former members of the King's Singers have remained active in the world of choral music. Former tenor Bob Chilcott is now a composer, conductor of the BBC Singers and workshop leader. Former baritone Gabriel Crouch is now the director of choral ensembles at Princeton University and former countertenor Nigel Short founded a professional choir, Tenebrae, on leaving the group in 2001. Baritone Simon Carrington is director emeritus of the Yale Schola Cantorum at the Yale Institute for Sacred Music and now directs the Simon Carrington Singers based in Kansas City, Missouri. Tony Holt is on the music faculty at St. Olaf College as a voice instructor. The original bass, Brian Kay, became well known as a radio and TV broadcaster; Bruce Russell is now vicar of St Francis' Church, Langley in Berkshire.[8]

Educational activities

In addition to recording and performing, the King's Singers have a commitment to education, often participating in master classes and workshops. Every two years they hold a residency at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Lübeck, Germany, at which up to 12 a cappella groups from all over the world are taught over a period of four days, culminating in a public performance. The group also leads around a dozen additional one-off masterclasses throughout the year, normally in conjunction with concert performances and often as part of their twice-yearly US tours. During its time, the King's Singers have taught many groups that have now become known in their own right, such as Club for Five, The Real Group, Rajaton, Singer Pur and Calmus Ensemble.

Several of the King's Singers also arranged pieces, both for the group and pieces to publish in their line of music. Recently, Philip Lawson and Bob Chilcott have been the most prolific composers for the group.

The group established The King's Singers Summer School in 2013 taking place on campus at Royal Holloway, University of London. The Summer School took place for a second time in 2015 and saw composer and conductor Eric Whitacre and Eton Choirbook expert Dr. Stephen Darlington as special guests. The first U.S. Summer School will take place between 13–19 June 2017 at DePauw University, Indiana followed by the third School at Royal Holloway on 17–22 July 2017. The King's Singers will be joined by guest clinician and former King's Singers Bob Chilcott.[9]

Members

Timeline of King's Singers Members
Voice part 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
56789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 01234567
Countertenor 1 Martin Lane Felicity Palmer† Nigel Perrin Jeremy Jackman David Hurley Patrick Dunachie
Countertenor 2 Alastair Hume Nigel Short Robin Tyson Timothy Wayne-Wright
Tenor Alastair Thompson Bill Ives Bob Chilcott Paul Phoenix Julian Gregory
Baritone 1 Richard Salter Nigel Beavan Anthony Holt Bruce Russell Philip Lawson Christopher Bruerton
Baritone 2 Simon Carrington Philip Lawson Gabriel Crouch Christopher Gabbitas
Bass Brian Kay Colin Mason Stephen Connolly Jonathan Howard

†Also Eleanor Capp and Caryl Newnham (sopranos), James Bowman and Richard Baker (countertenors)

Discography

In 2003 the group signed with Signum Records, with whom they have now released eighteen recordings, including an experimental recording of Thomas Tallis' 40-part "Spem in Alium", using modern studio multi-tracking techniques to turn their six voices into 40, the results of which can be heard on a Signum CD and Iambic Productions DVD, which includes a documentary on the making of the CD.

The group's most successful recent CD is the 2008 Simple Gifts, a selection of 16 pop ballads, spirituals, and folk songs. It was their first full-length studio CD since the 1990s. The arrangements on the album are by former first baritone Philip Lawson, Peter Knight and former tenor Bob Chilcott, and the album was recorded at the home of Francis Rossi, of Status Quo, and engineered by Gregg Jackman, the brother of former King's Singers countertenor Jeremy Jackman. In February 2009 Simple Gifts won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album. An EP recording, From the Heart, was released in 2010.

In December 2007, the King's Singers recorded a Christmas concert, Rejoice and Be Merry! with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square,[10] that was released on CD on 30 September 2008; it also was released on DVD 21 October 2008.[11][12] The CD featured both a cappella and accompanied songs by the King's Singers and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Six tracks feature the King's Singers alone, with another five tracks featuring the combined King's Singer's and Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the remaining eight tracks feature The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The recorded concert was also broadcast on US PBS stations in December 2008.[13] In 2011, the group released High Flight with The Concordia Choir, an album of music by three of the most popular 21st century choral composers, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and former tenor in the group Bob Chilcott.

In October 2013, The King's Singers released Great American Songbook, an album dedicated to American Standards from the 1920s to the 1960s, to critical acclaim. The sound on this new album marks a departure from the more acoustic albums of the past decade, using extensive post-production techniques and multi-tracking to create a more modern a cappella sound, but retaining the essence of The King's Singers blend and balance.

King's Singers albums
Disc name Release year Instrumentation # of a cappella tracks # of tracks
Lollipops 1975 11 11
1605: Treason and Dischord 2005 Concordia Viol Consort and Sarah Baldock (organ) 7 15
À la Française 1990 Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Carl Davis
All at Once Well Met 1987 Lute and Tabor 29 35
America 1989, 2006 English Chamber Orchestra 0 10
Annie Laurie 1993 Guitar, Flute, Piccolo 7 18
The Beatles Connection 1986 19 19
Capella (compilation) 2003 41
Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo; Holy Moses 1972, 2006 Drums: Alf Bigden, keyboard: Steve Gray, bass: Brian Odges (Holy Moses) 0 18
Chanson d'amour 1993 11 21
Circle of Life 1997 Metropole Orkest 3 12
Colouring Book 2005 18
Christmas 2003 String Quartet and Drums 23 25
Deck the Hall – Songs for Christmas 1973, 1991 15 15
English Renaissance 1995 20 20
Fire~Water 2000 Andrew Lawrence-King, The Harp Consort 17
Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responses for Maundy Thursday 2004 14 14
The Golden Age – Siglo de Oro 2008 Keith McGowan 10
Good Vibrations 1993 13 13
Great American Songbook 2013 17 17
Here's a Howdy Do! 1993 Sound Effects, Organ, Piano, Double Bass, Drums 11 15
High Flight 2011 The Concordia Choir 13 14
In Memoriam Josquin Desprez (compilation) 2012 13 13
De Janequin aux Beatles (compilation) 1999 Various 55
Joy to the World 2011 18 18
Kids' Stuff 1986, 2000 Judi Dench, Various 14
The King's Singers Original Debut Recording 1971, 1994 The Gordon Langford Trio 5 13
György Ligeti Edition, Vol. 4 (Vocal Works) 1997
Landscape & Time 2006 11 11
A Little Christmas Music 1989 Kiri Te Kanawa, City of London Sinfonia 7 20
Madrigal History Tour 1984, 1989 Consort of Musicke 0 34
My Spirit Sang All Day 1988 25 25
New Day 1980 9 15
Nightsong 1997 Various 5 15
Pater Noster: A Choral Reflection on the Lord's Prayer 2012 25 25
Postcards 2014 22 22
The Quiet Heart – Choral Essays Vol.1 2006 19 19
Reflections – Choral Essays Vol.2 2008 20 20
In This Quiet Moment – Choral Essays Vol.3 2010 18 18
Rejoice and Be Merry! 2008 Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square 6 11 (19)[14]
Renaissance (Works by Josquin Desprez) 1993 21 21
Romance du Soir 2009 19 19
Royal Rhymes and Rounds 2012 23 23
Sacred Bridges 2005 Sarband 7 12
Sermons and Devotions 2006 15
Simple Gifts 2008 16 16
Six 2005 6 6
Spem in alium 2006 (One interview track) 1 2
Street Songs 1998 Evelyn Glennie (percussion) 7? 18
Swimming Over London 2010 14 14
Tribute to the Comedian Harmonists 1985 Piano 6? 16
The Triumphs of Oriana 2002, 2006 25? 25
Three Musical Fables 1983 Cambridge Singers and City of London Sinfonia 0 3
Watching the White Wheat 1986 Various 9 16

[15][16][17]

Many King's Singers arrangements have been published, including a number compiled into songs books[18]

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Fire-Water (cd cover)
  3. ↑ When I’m Sixty-Four (sheet music cover)
  4. ↑ Archived 15 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "Patents Pending : The King's Singers". Darylrunswick.net. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "Singers.com - Hi-Lo's Vocal Jazz A Cappella Group". Singers.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  7. 1 2 3
  8. ↑ "St. Francis' Church". Langleymarish.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.kingssingers.com/summer-school/
  10. ↑ "King's Singers coming to Salt Lake". DeseretNews.com. 30 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "Rejoice and Be Merry: Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square Featuring The King Singers". Amazon.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Rejoice & Be Merry: Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir". Amazon.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Official Website". Mormontabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  14. ↑ The CD has 19 tracks, but the King's Singers are only featured in 11 tracks
  15. ↑ "DJ Records Menu Page". Dj-records.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "kingssing.com". kingssing.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "Homepage - The King's Singers". The King's Singers. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  18. ↑ Archived 26 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine.

External links

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