The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Among England's famed university choirs, the King's College Choir of Cambridge has both one of the deepest histories and some of the most visible present-day activities. Its annual broadcasts of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, begun in 1918, have been an integral part of Christmas celebrations in many countries. The Choir of King's College was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI as the resident ensemble of King's College Chapel, a status it continues to hold. The choir has directly spawned several contemporary choral groups, including Polyphony and the King's Singers. From 1982 to 2019, the choir's Director of Music was Stephen Cleobury; Daniel Hyde ascended to the podium on Cleobury's retirement. In 2018, the choir released 100 Years of Nine Lessons and Carols, featuring both historical and modern recordings. The King's College Choir issued Early English Polyphony from the Eton Choirbook to Thomas Tallis in 2021.