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King’s Singers, The

This a cappella vocal ensemble was formed in 1965 as Six Choral Scholars of King’s College Cambridge.  Under this guise they released the album Schola Cantorum Pro Musica Profana in Cantabridgiense! which was brought to the attention of Sir Neville Marriner who arranged a concert for them in August 1966.  They performed several concerts under this name but formed as the King’s Singers for their London debut in 1968.

They quickly became known throughout the world as a cappella singers, covering all music from renaissance to pop and in 1972 became a full time group and received many commissions.  Singing with many  international orchestras, they have appeared at venues including Windsor Castle, the Hollywood Bowl, the Shea Stadium and European cathedrals, and have collaborated with artists that extend from Kiri te Kanawa to Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys as well as Paul McCartney, where they and the St. Paul’s Choir were known as the Frog Chorus.

They have appeared on countless TV programmes, including nine appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, as well as having their own series, and have conducted masterclass courses at Music Festivals as well as being Prince Consort Ensemble-in-Residence at the Royal College of Music.

Members
Simon Carrington (1965-1993)
Alastair Hume (1965-1993)
Anthony Holt (1965-1987)
Brian Kay (1968-1982)
Nigel Perrin (1968-1980)
Martin Lane(1968)
Richard Salter (1968)
Alastair Thompson (1970-1978)
Bill Ives (1978-1985)
Jeremy Jackson (1980-1990)
Colin Mason (1982-1987)
Bob Chilcott (1986-1997)
Bruce Russell (1987-1996)
David Hurley (1990-Present)
Philip Lawson (1993-Present)
Nigel Short (1994-2000)
Stephen Connelly (1994?-Present)
Gabriel Crouch (1996-2004)
Paul Phoenix (1997-Present)
Robin Tyson (2001-Present)
Christopher Gabbitas (2004-Present)

The King’s Singers recordings
The Ash Grove (Traditional/Thomas Oliphant)
EMI 54904 (CD: Annie Laurie)
Countertenor – David Hurley
Countertenor – Alistair Hume
Tenor – Bob Chilcott
Baritone – Bruce Russell
Baritone – Simon Carrington
Bass – Stephen Connolly

Patapan and Farandole (Bernard de la Monnoye/Georges Bizet/Jeremy Jackman)
EMI 49909 (CD: A Little Christmas Music)
Jeremy Jackson – Countertenor and composer
Alastair Hume – Countertenor
Bob Chilcott – Tenor and Arranger
Bruce Russell – Baritone
Simon Carrington – Baritone
Stephen Connolly – Bass

Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus recordings
We All Stand Together (Paul McCartney)

Sources:

  1. www.kingssingers.com/aboutus/history.htm
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King’s_Singers
  3. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kings-singers-mn0000929562/biography
  4. https://www.discogs.com/artist/739941-The-Kings-Singers