The King's Singers
One of the world’s most celebrated vocal groups, The King’s Singers have a packed schedule of concerts, recordings, media and education work that spans the globe. Championing the work of young and established composers, they remain consummate entertainers; a class-act with a delightfully British wit. From Gesualdo and György Ligeti to Michael Bublé, The King’s Singers are instantly recognizable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing.
During 2010/2011 The King’s Singers will perform across the world in some of the world’s most beautiful concert halls including the National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing), Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Kuala Lumpur), and the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall. The King’s Singers will travel to Finland, Poland, the US and Canada, Estonia, Italy, Germany, Sweden, France, Bulgaria, Denmark, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands and will be featured at the prestigious Schleswig Holstein Music Festival in July 2011.
With a discography of well over 150 recordings The King’s Singers have garnered both awards and significant critical acclaim. Their recent studio album Simple Gifts on Signum was awarded a Grammy in 2009. An EP titled From the Heart was released internationally in February 2010, and was linked to a collaborative concert and webcast with ClassicsOnline for Valentine’s Day. On the same date the group appeared on BBC television’s Songs of Praise singing tracks from the disc. Swimming over London, a disc that aligns KS favorites’ with new songs and new arrangements was released in June 2010. March 2010 saw the release of a world premiere recording of music for Vespers by Pachelbel with Charivari Agréable. While touring the USA in February 2010, The King’s Singers recorded an album with renowned Concordia College Choir including KS commissions by Eric Whitacre and Bob Chilcott.
The King’s Singers maintain a deep commitment to new choral music and have commissioned over 200 works from a host of prominent contemporary composers including Richard Rodney Bennett, Luciano Berio, Peter Maxwell Davies, György Ligeti, Gian Carlo Menotti, Krzysztof Penderecki, Ned Rorem, John Rutter, Toru Takemitsu, and John Tavener. This season The King’s Singers will premiere works by Ivan Moody, Gabriela Lena Frank, John McCabe, Bob Chilcott and Eric Whitacre.
The King’s Singers have an extraordinary history on television. A favorite of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with whom they performed as part of the 2002 Winter Olympics, they appeared on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas Concert to a combined live audience of 80 000 which was television broadcast on PBS across the US and is available on DVD. Following their televised BBC Proms performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London (also available on DVD – awarded a Midem International Classical Award in January 2010) and appearances on BBC Breakfast television, The King’s Singers appeared on Songs of Praise on BBC television (BBC One) three times this season, including a Christmas special.
In addition to their sold-out concerts worldwide, The King’s Singers share their artistry through numerous workshops and master classes. They have clocked up phenomenal sales of sheet music with over two million pieces of print in circulation with current publisher Hal Leonard. The King’s Singers’ arrangements are sung by schools, college choirs and amateur and professional ensembles the world over.
David Hurley, countertenor
Timothy Wayne-Wright, countertenor
Paul Phoenix, tenor
Philip Lawson, baritone
Christopher Gabbitas, baritone
Jonathan Howard, bass
