This choir was established in 1441 after King Henry VI founded the College and stated that he wanted to hear singing from the chapel every day.
The choir consists of 14 choral and 2 organ scholars who have been given scholarships by the College School over the top of their other studies. Now renowned internationally they are known for their Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which is broadcast annually on radio and also on television as Carols from Kings. They give many concerts worldwide and have made numerous celebrated recordings in the company of distinguished conductors.
Their recordings include the works of Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Bach and Handel as well as their huge repertoire of anthems, hymns and carols. Championing works by contemporary composers they have commissioned music from people such as Richard Rodney Bennett, Arvo Part, Stephen Paulus, John Rutter and John Tavener.
Throughout the years there have been many successful groups and soloists that have come from previous members including The Kings Singers, Collegium Regale, Sir David Willcocks, Sir Andrew Davis, Stephen Layton and Andrew Kennedy.
Cecil Alexander and Henry Gauntlett recordings
Once in Royal David’s City
EMI 66241 (CD: Christmas Carols from King’s College, Cambridge)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Once in Royal David’s City
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Gregorio Allegri recordings
Miserere
Decca 466 075-2 (CD: The Greatest Choral Show on Earth)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Treble – Roy Goodman
EMI 5 75877 2 (CD: Allegri: Miserere; Gabrieli et.al)
Conductor – Stephen Cleobury
Phillips Brooks/Ralph Vaughan Williams recordings
O Little Town of Bethlehem
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Rev. John Henry Hopkins Jr. recordings
We Three Kings
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
John Thomas McFarland/James Ramsey Murray recordings
(Other settings and versions: William J. Kirkpatrick/Harold Darke/J. Spilman/John Tavener)
Away In a Manger
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Henrich Suso/Traditional recordings
In Dulci Jubilo (Heinrich Suso/Traditional German)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Nahum Tate/Christopher Tye/George Kirbye recordings
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
John Francis Wade/Frederick Oakeley recordings)
O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
John Wedderburn recordings
Balulalow (John Wedderburn/Traditional Scottish
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn recordings
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
George Ratcliffe Woodward recordings
Blessed Be That Maid Mary
London 425-499 (CD – On Christmas Night)
Arranger – Sir David Willcocks
Blessed Be That Maid Mary
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Anonymous Christmas Carols recordings
The First Nowell (Anonymous/Traditional)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Anonymous/Traditional)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
I Saw Three Ships (Anonymous/Traditional)
London 444 848 (CD: Noel – Christmas at Kings)
Conductor – Sir David Willcocks
Sources:
- http://www.singers.com/choral/kingscollegechoir.html
- http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choir_of_King’s_College,_Cambridge#Groups_spawned_from_the_Choral_Scholars