Who are the choirs at King Charles’ coronation?
THE coronation of a new monarch epitomises British pomp and circumstance.
After weeks of speculation, the lineup of choirs to perform at King Charles’ coronation was announced.
Who are the choirs at King Charles’ coronation?
The Choir of Westminster Abbey
This ensemble of male singers is renowned worldwide as one of the best choirs of its type.
The choir consists of 30 boys who attend Westminister Abbey’s specialist Choir school, and 12 professional adult singers called Lay Vicars.
The Choir is known for its impressive repertoire ranging from Tudor polyphony to 20th-century masterpieces and new commissions.
The Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace
Known to be the oldest continuous musical organisation in the world, this Choir has existed since there have been Christian Kings in England.
The duties of the Choir have remained the same for a thousand years.
Their duties include:
- Singing regular services in the Chapel of the Monarch’s home
- Attending the Monarch at services and other events as commanded
The Chapel Royal Choir is made up of six Gentlemen-in-Ordinary, ten choristers, an organist and Choirmaster and a Sub-Organist.
The young members of the Choir, traditionally known as the Children of the Chapel Royal, audition from as young as seven years old.
They join as probationers and only become full choristers when one of the existing ten leave the Choir.
They will be joined by girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast and from Truro Cathedral Choir.
The Ascension Choir
The members of this gospel Choir were handpicked to perform at King Charles’ Coronation.
Led by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah, they will sing Alleluia (O Sing Praises) as part of a two-part composition commissioned by TV and film composer Debbie Wiseman.
The Ascension Choir will include members of the Kingdom Choir who performed at the wedding of Harry and Meghan.
The Telegraph state that this Choir will be the first gospel Choir to perform in Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of a Monarch.
The Monteverdi Choir
The Monteverdi Choir is a specialist Baroque ensemble performing music from the Renaissance period all the way through to the Classical music of the 20th century.
The Choir is conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, who founded the Choir in 1964.
Sir Gardiner is known to be one of the best conductors in the world and has led the Choir in many critically acclaimed recitals.
Their first performance at Crosby Hall in 1966 grabbed the nation’s attention and within two years, they performed at the BBC Proms for the first time.
The Choir also performed for His Majesty in 2014 and 2017 at Buckingham Palace.
Who is the music director?
All the arrangements for the Choirs performing at King Charles’ Coronation will be overseen by Andrew Nethsingha, Westminster Abbey Organist and Master of the Choristers.
Andrew was appointed as Organist and Master of Choristers at Westminister Abbey in January 2023.
This role means that he is the Abbey’s director of music, head of the Abbey’s music department and is responsible for all the music produced at the Abbey.
As well as organising all the music for the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort at Westminister Abbey, he will also be directing the music during the service.
Before joining Westminster Abbey, Andrew was the director of music at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he had huge success during his 15-year career there.