GOLD available now: http://radi.al/KingsSingersGold

The King’s Singers were officially born on May 1st 1968, formed by six recently-graduated choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge. Their vocal line-up was (by chance) two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass, and the group has never wavered from this formation since. 2018 marks the 50th birthday of the group, and to celebrate, The King’s Singers are presenting their anniversary season: GOLD. Everything in this GOLD season, from triple-album to book and concert tour, celebrates the amazing musical heritage of The King’s Singers, and also looks at the bright future of vocal music in all its forms.

What really distinguished the group in its early years was its musical diversity. The King’s Singers were a weekly fixture on prime-time television, celebrating popular music never usually touched by choral ensembles, and their unique British charm, combined with their musical craft, captured audiences’ hearts the world over. The group has consistently been welcomed on the world’s great stages throughout its history – from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Opera House in Sydney or New York’s Carnegie Hall – as well as being ambassadors for musical excellence across the globe. Two Grammy® Awards, an Emmy® Award, and a place in Gramophone magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame sit among the numerous accolades bestowed upon the group. 

This love of diversity has always fuelled The King’s Singers’ commitment to creating new music. A panoply of commissioned works by many of the supreme composers of our times – including Sir John Tavener, Toru Takemitsu, John Rutter, Luciano Berio, Nico Muhly, György Ligeti and Eric Whitacre – sits alongside countless bespoke arrangements in the group’s extensive repertoire. The group is determined to spread the joy of ensemble singing, and leads workshops and residential courses all over the world each season.

The world may have changed a lot in the fifty years since the original King’s Singers came together, but today’s group is still charged by the same lifeblood – one that wants to radiate the joy singing brings every day, and that wants to give life to audiences with their virtuosity and vision for an exciting musical future.

After 32 years of worldwide performance and recording, The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instrument orchestra, The Sixteen’s total commitment to the music it performs is its greatest distinction. A special reputation for performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th-century music, is drawn from the passions of conductor and founder Harry Christophers. In 2009 the group was awarded the Classic FM Gramophone “Artist of the Year” award [the only ensemble in the award’s history to ever win this category]. 

Over one hundred recordings reflect The Sixteen’s quality in a range of work spanning the music of five hundred years, winning many awards including Grand Prix du Disque, numerous Schallplattenkritik, the coveted Gramophone Award for “Early Music”, a Classical Brit Award and Classic FM Gramophone Baroque Vocal Award for their recording of Handel’s Coronation Anthems.

Since 2001 The Sixteen has been building its own record label, CORO, which now boasts over 100 titles. Recent recordings include 'The Earth Resounds' featuring music by  Josquin, Brumel and Lassus, the first volume in a new series celebrating Palestrina and the second volume in the Monteverdi Selva morale e spirituale series. Best sellers include Allegri's Miserere, Handel's Messiah and Tallis's Spem in Alium. In 2010 CORO DVD was launched to release the BBC’s groundbreaking Sacred Music programmes on DVD.

For more information on The Sixteen and to purchase CDs visit www.thesixteen.com

Sounds, insights and debates on baroque and classical music from the AAM.

Bringing a city to life with song since 1954...

Composer and French Hornist
Music Composition at the University of Maryland-College Park

Choral Arts Northwest is comprised of volunteer singers drawn exclusively from the Seattle region who combine a deep sense of community with a degree of artistic excellence that has garnered national recognition and critical acclaim.

Led by Robert Bode, the group has won the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence (2010); and the American Prize for choral performance (community division) twice, placing first in 2010 and second in 2013. The group has also been awarded coveted performing slots at the 2015 ACDA National Conference, the 2013 Chorus America National Conference, and the 2010 ACDA Regional Conference.

In the past decade, CANW has commissioned over twenty new choral works by American composers, and currently has seven commercially-released recordings under the Gothic record label.

A unique one-person vocal ensemble of Phillip Cheah and his three-and-a-half octave range which “defies the laws of nature” (Time Out New York) promoting choral music through the intersection of technology and vocal artistry.

Guy James - Countertenor is following