Ken Burton (born 5 January 1970) is a British choral and orchestral conductor, composer, [1] performer, producer, presenter, arranger and judge, widely known for his work and appearances on UK television programmes, particularly BBC1 Songs Of Praise, on which he appears regularly as a conductor, musical director, arranger, singer, judge, music producer, and music consultant. He has conducted and directed choirs for major films, including the multi Oscar winning and Grammy winning Marvel film Black Panther, [2] Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, Candy Cane Lane (Amazon) Holiday Road (Hallmark), is one of the credited choral conductors on the film Jingle Jangle and has also contributed as a conductor, contractor, and singer to a number of other films including Amazing Grace, and Ugly Dolls.
Burton's parents relocated from the West Indies to the United Kingdom in the 1960's, and he attributes his love for music to early childhood home experiences, which included listening to older siblings rehearse their instruments, and family spiritual gatherings, where singing would take place, often in harmony. [3] He attended the Ryelands Primary School in South Norwood, where he was actively involved with music, including playing in the newly formed steel band. His participation in the steel band was the subject of a local newspaper feature on his music-making activity. He went on to become a choirmaster, specialising in gospel music at the church he attended, the Selhurst Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He is still an active member of that church, and still directs the choir. [4] He then went on to Trinity School, Croydon, on a music scholarship, pursuing 9 O-levels, and 3 A levels, and thereafter pursued his professional academic music studies at Goldsmiths College, University Of London, which is now named Goldsmiths University. His studies included music analysis, techniques, composition, music production, performance, Classical music history, and post 1945 twentieth-century music. Whilst at the college, he won a prize for the highest marks in aural perception, and was regularly used as an accompanist for instrumentalists, and the chorus. Following graduation, he was invited back to Goldsmiths as chorus master, and director of the chamber choir.
Burton's choirs first gained national attention in 1994 [5] when The London Adventist Chorale and the Croydon Seventh-Day Adventist Gospel Choir were two of the three finalists in the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year competition, [6] broadcast nationally in the UK on BBC television. The London Adventist Chorale won that year. His choral activities also involves directorship of BBC Songs of Praise session choir, Adventist Vocal Ensemble (AVE). [5] Burton also formed, and performs with, the group Tessera, also a regular on BBC Songs of Praise.
As a conductor, singer, and instrumentalist, he has performed on many of the world's major stages including Wembley Stadium, Universal Studios (Florida), Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall. [7] [8] His orchestral music has been played by several of the UK's leading orchestras, among them BBC Orchestra and CBSO, and in programmes including the BBC Proms. [9]
He has worked as a musical director, arranger, and collaborator with opera singers Bryn Terfel and Lesley Garrett, gospel singers Donnie McClurkin, Andraé Crouch and Helen Baylor, and has worked as a session musician for the UK's largest television show, "The X Factor", and the "US X Factor". [10] He has contracted choirs, recorded soundtrack choral parts (some of them his own arrangements) for leading artists including Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, will.i.am, Robbie Williams, and Leona Lewis. [11]
In 2010, he was asked to assist in shaping an arrangement for a song of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. This song was to be a gospel flavoured arrangement of Webber's "Love Never Dies", to be recorded by Nicole Scherzinger. The song was subsequently recorded, produced by Nigel Wright, with choral arrangements by Annie Skates. Burton provided the choir.[ citation needed ]
In 2007, he was commissioned to write a piece of music for double chorus, for a BBC Radio commemorative broadcast to commemorate the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. [12] This piece was performed by the London Adventist Chorale and the choir of St John's College, Cambridge. A number of other collaborative pieces were written and subsequently recorded by the two choirs, although to date the recording has not been released.[ citation needed ]
Burton has produced a number of recordings with the Croydon Seventh-Day Adventist Gospel Choir, the first being a selection of songs titled "Until We Reach".[ citation needed ]
Burton has been presented to Queen Elizabeth II on five occasions: two Commonwealth days, Golden Jubilee 2002 (where he directed the London Adventist Chorale singing two of his arrangements of African-American spirituals at Buckingham Palace), the re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall Royal Gala Concert, and at a special jubilee multi-faith environment programme. All three of the choral entities he looks after (The Croydon SDA Gospel Choir, London Adventist Chorale and Adventist Vocal Ensemble) have performed, either uniquely or in collaboration, for numerous concerts attended Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the royal family. [13] He has also been presented to the former Prince, now King, Charles on several occasions.
In February 2013, Ken Burton was a guest presenter for the BBC Radio 3 programme "The Choir". He presented a programme on choral gospel music which mixed with other genres. [14]
In May 2013, he contracted a choir under the name Ken Burton Voices to perform at the Cannes Film Festival for Steven Spielberg, the head of the festival's 2013 jury. The choir performed "Miss Celie's Blues" from the film The Color Purple; the piece was arranged and conducted by jazz trumpeter Guy Barker; the lead vocalist was jazz singer Krystle Warren, and Grant Windsor was the accompanist.
Burton was a judge on the new eight-part series of BBC2's Sing While You Work , filmed in September 2013, with fellow judges Paul Mealor, and international soprano Sarah Fox. [15]
In March 2014 Burton led the Hertford Choral Society's "Raise Your Voice" event. [3]
In 2014 and 2015 he presented two series of programmes for online TV Channel LifeConnect. These programmes, called Music In My Life; With Ken Burton, saw him interviewing gospel artists, as well as talking about his own musical experiences. As part of the programme, in collaboration with the artist, he would create something on the spot.
In 2015, he headlined, and directed a workshop choir, in a sell-out concert at the NOSPR in Katowice. Later that year he travelled with his Croydon SDA Gospel Choir to perform at the quinquennial General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, in San Antonio's Alamodome.
In 2016, he was a judge, alongside Connie Fisher and Katherine Jenkins, for the 2016 BBC Television short series of Songs Of Praise: School Choir Of The Year. Later that year he conducted his debut piece "No Many Could" number at the Proms, in a special gospel prom, presented by Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.
In 2018, he was a judge, alongside Carrie Grant and JB Gill, for the 2018 BBC Television short series of Songs Of Praise; School Choir Of The Year.
Burton was approached to assemble and lead a choir of forty singers for the soundtrack of the Marvel film release Black Panther. Drawing largely from the professional British opera world, and others from the field of gospel, Jazz, and classical music, Burton was responsible for contracting, and generally advising in the recording sessions at London's Abbey Road Studios. The conductor for the film score was John Ashton Thomas. The composer was Ludwig Göransson. The film won several Oscars in 2019, including Best Soundtrack; the soundtrack also won a Grammy in 2019. The collective name for the choir Burton assembled was the Voquality Singers.
In 2019, Burton led a choir of twelve, in two BBC specials for Songs Of Praise, in the Holy Land. Featuring interviews, and songs, all arranged and produced by Burton, with one produced by both Ian Tilley and Burton,
In 2020, Burton was commissioned to write a new piece [16] for the vocal ensemble Voces8. This was premiered in the group's Live From London virtual concert.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic resulted in his European and UK touring and recording schedule being largely cancelled or put on hold. During the period when the UK was required to be on lockdown, Burton created a number of home-made programmes for his social media network. You're PUN-ished is a short home-produced video, using puns. Burton attributes his love of words to his late father, who was always playing with words, and also his language teachers in his secondary school who instilled a love for languages. He vividly remembers and often publicly shares about a moment in a German class where his German teacher started talking about a photograph and proceeded to use such phrases as "we will not focus on this any more, unless things develop further; so I shall close the shutter".
Burton also produced a series of twenty short videos, which were shared with his social media network under the title Daily Focus. These short programmes consisted of a text from the Bible, or a poem; this would be followed by a short prayer, and a short song, which would be a popularly known hymn, or one of Burton's own compositions. In the second to last and last week of the series, Burton started to get song ideas whilst filming, which he shared on the videos.
Burton also produced a series of audio greetings: short song compositions with messages. He had been doing this for a number of years for his siblings, and he decided to record a number of short thank you messages for key workers and the UK health services, using different genres of music, among them opera and reggae.
In addition to his choral and vocal work, he has published several books with Oxford University Press (Christmas Spirituals for Choirs) and Faber Music(Feel the Spirit, 1996; [17] Good News, 1998; Ready to Ride, 2000) and also has works published with Royal Schools Of Church Music. In 2014 he created the company Voquality, which also publishes some of his music.
Burton was educated at the Ryelands Primary School in South Norwood, London. During this time he learned piano initially under a local teacher, known only as Mrs Skull, and then under the late Margaret Carr (Singh), to whom Burton attributes his musicianship skills. He often shares how Mrs Singh would change the tune on her musical doorbell, and require Ken to name the key of the tune before allowing him into the house. At Ryelands School, Burton had music instruction under Mrs Shirley Hulme.
He gained a music scholarship to the prestigious Trinity School in Croydon, Surrey. He gained O-levels in Combined Science, Music, French, German, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology and Religious Studies. He continued at the school, gaining A-levels in Music, French and German. At Trinity School he studied piano with the late David de Warrenne, and also learned violin under Stuart Robertson. Burton was an accompanist for the DW choir, which specialised in arrangements of music, by De Warrenne himself. His academic music studies were with Mr David Squibb, Mr Stephen Johns, and Mr Simon Marriott. The school also had an organ, and Burton had several years of organ lessons with John Shepherd.
Following school, he read music at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He made history at the university by becoming the first music student to gain 100% in an aural examination, which won him a prize. At the university he was active as an accompanist for both vocalists and instrumentalists, due to his strong sight-reading skills. He studied piano under Professor Andrew Ball at the Royal College of Music, and studied voice under the tenor Charles Corp. Burton was also accompanist for the chorus and sang with the chamber choir. Following graduation, he was appointed as chorusmaster, training the choir in such works as the Verdi Requiem , Brahms Deutsches Requiem , Brahms Libeslieder, Bernstein Chichester Psalms and a newly discovered Prokofiev posthumous work.
Burton continued professional studies, undertaking an intensive Trinity College accredited professional course in voice education, studying voice technique, anatomy and care under Janice Chapman, professors Graham Welch, Colin Durrant, Thom Hans and Jacob Lieberman.
Burton is a Christian, of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith, and is father to one son: Kenán was born in March 2007. Burton is the youngest of 10 children; his oldest siblings were born in Jamaica, the eldest two living there. He is the brother of Professor Dr. Keith Augustus Burton, an author and former university professor at Oakwood Adventist University in Alabama, currently a professor at Advent Health Inc, in Florida. Dr Burton was a theology student at the university at the same time as members of Take Six. Burton's sister Vanessa resides in San Antonio, and is a recipient of the Texas Teacher of the Year Award.
Burton works regularly with Songs Of Praise , one of the longest running music programmes on the United Kingdom's premier national television channel, BBC1. [18]
On the programme, he has arranged, conducted and performed hundreds of songs. His arrangements have been for choirs, orchestras, ensembles and soloists, including Heather Small, Beverley Knight, Ruby Turner, Jermain Jackman, Ruthie Henshall, Donnie McClurkin, Eddi Reader, Shaun Escoffery, Aled Jones, Katherine Jenkins, Rick Astley, Tommy Blaize, Jaz Ellington, Mica Paris, Pumeza, Angel Blue and Laura Wright. [19]
Programmes involved with since 2013:
Date | Year | Location | Song Title | Role | Programme |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 29 | 2015 | London | "Ride On King Jesus" (performed by Angel Blue) | Accompanist | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 16 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Trust Me", performed by Manchester Inspirational Voices | Accompanist | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 14 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Bring Us Closer", performed by Manchester Inspirational Voices | Accompanist | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 5 | 2017 | London | "Great Day" (performed by Noah Stewart) | Accompanist | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 14 | 2014 | London | "O Holy Night" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 22 | 2014 | London | "He's Got The Whole World" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 18 | 2014 | London | "Go Tell It" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 13 | 2015 | London | "Angels from the Realms of Glory" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 8 | 2015 | London | "He's Got The Whole World" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 22 | 2015 | London | "He's The Lily Of The Valley" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 22 | 2015 | London | "Agnus Dei" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 25 | 2015 | London | "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 14 | 2016 | Birmingham | "What A Mighty God" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 28 | 2016 | London | "I Will Enter" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 11 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Soon And Very Soon" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 17 | 2016 | London | "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 31 | 2016 | London | "I Am On The Battlefield" | Arranger, Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jul 31 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Give Thanks" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jun 05 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Ten Thousand Reasons" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 20 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Nothing But The Blood" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 27 | 2016 | Birmingham | "See What A Morning" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 8 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Abide With Me" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 22 | 2016 | London | "Holy, Holy" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 20 | 2016 | Leicester | "What A Wonderful Change" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 16 | 2016 | London | "He’s Got The Whole World" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 11 | 2016 | Birmingham | "Shout To The Lord" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 18 | 2016 | Birmingham | "I Look To You" | Arranger, Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 16 | 2017 | Birmingham | "See What A Morning" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 30 | 2017 | Leicester | "O Praise Ye The Lord" | Arranger, Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 9 | 2017 | Leicester | "I Surrender All" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 12 | 2017 | Leicester | "I Will Sing The Wondrous Story" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 19 | 2017 | Birmingham | "My Jesus My Saviour (Shout To The Lord)" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 5 | 2017 | Birmingham | "I Love You Lord" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 15 | 2017 | Leicester | "Siyhamba" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 22 | 2017 | Birmingham | "What A Mighty God We Serve" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 29 | 2017 | London | "Give Me That Old Time Religion" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 11 | 2017 | Birmingham | "Wonderful Merciful" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 18 | 2017 | Leicester | "I Am Thine Oh Lord" | Arranger, Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 25 | 2017 | Leicester | "God Is Love His The Care" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 25 | 2017 | Birmingham | "This Train" | Arranger | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 4 | 2017 | Leicester | "Holy Holy Holy" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Mar 12 | 2017 | London | "Here I Am To Worship" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Mar 19 | 2017 | Leicester | "Kumbaya" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC 1 |
Mar 26 | 2017 | Leicester | "In Christ There Is No East Or West" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Mar 5 | 2017 | Leicester | "All My Hope On God Is Founded" | Arranger, Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 21 | 2017 | Birmingham | "The Lord’s My Shepherd" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 14 | 2015 | London | "Faithful" | Arranger for Angel Blue & Tessera | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
August 17 | 2014 | London | "There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 06 | 2015 | London | "The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 27 | 2015 | London | "When A Child Is Born" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 13 | 2015 | London | "What A Friend" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 17 | 2016 | London | "What a Mighty God We Serve" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 14 | 2016 | London | "Power In The Blood" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 21 | 2016 | London | "People Get Ready" (with Heather Small) | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 28 | 2016 | London | "To God Be Glory" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 25 | 2016 | London | "On Christmas Night" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 4 | 2016 | London | "When A Child Is Born" (with Shaun Escoffery) | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 24 | 2016 | London | "Sing" (performed by Angel Blue) | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 1 | 2016 | London | "To God Be The Glory" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 25 | 2016 | London | "There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 2 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Praise Him" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 23 | 2017 | London | "Praise Him" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 26 | 2017 | London | "Praise Him Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed" | Arranger, Conductor Songs of Praise, BBC1 | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
JAN 1 | 2017 | London | "To God Be The Glory" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 16 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Our God Reigns" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 23 | 2017 | London | "Every Time I Feel The Spirit" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 9 | 2017 | London | "Oh Happy Day" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 25 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Holy Overshadowing" (Graham Kendrick) | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 4 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Here Is Love" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 14 | 2017 | Sheffield | "O Jesus I Have Promised" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 28 | 2017 | Sheffield | "There Is A Redeemer" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 25 | 2014 | London | "On Christmas Night" (Tessera) | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
JAN 5 | 2014 | Manchester | "What Child Is This" | Arranger, performer | Songs Of Praise, BBC1 |
March 9 | 2014 | London | "You'll Never Walk Alone" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
February 16 | 2014 | Bath | "Day By Day" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 02 | 2015 | Manchester | "Tula Tula" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 18 | 2016 | London | "What Child Is This?" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 18 | 2016 | London | "Amazing Grace" (performed by Pumeza & Tessera) | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 11 | 2017 | Sheffield | "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace" | Arranger, performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
August 13 | 2017 | London Abbey Road | "All You Need Is Love" (with Vocal Creation) | Arranger, performer/musical director | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 21 | 2014 | London | Christmas Big Sing: "O Come All Ye Faithful", performed by Jermaine Jackman | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 6 | 2014 | London | Big Sing: "And Can It Be" | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 19 | 2014 | London | Big Sing: "This Train", performed by Ruby Turner | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 19 | 2014 | London | Big Sing: "Precious Lord", performed by Mica Paris | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 26 | 2014 | London | Big Sing: "Lord You Are Good" | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 26 | 2014 | London | Big Sing: "Amazing Grace" | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 20 | 2015 | London | Christmas Big Sing: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" performed by Shaun Escoffery | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 20 | 2015 | London | Christmas Big Sing: "O Holy Night", performed by Ruby Turner | Arranger/Orchestrator | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 31 | 2015 | London | "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" (AVE/Angel Blue) | Choral Arranger | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 29 | 2014 | London | "Total Praise" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 19 | 2015 | London | "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 14 | 2015 | London | "Love Lifted Me" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 29 | 2015 | London | "How Great Is Our God" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 11 | 2015 | London | "When We All Get To Heaven" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 14 | 2016 | London | "Blessed Assurance" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
JAN 03 | 2016 | London | "Praise Is Rising" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 20 | 2016 | London | "Hosanna In The Highest" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 1 | 2016 | London | "Blessed Assurance" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 20 | 2016 | London | "Nearer My God To Thee" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 1 | 2016 | London | "Beautiful One" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 25 | 2016 | London | Radio 2: Good Morning | Conductor, interviewee | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 7 | 2017 | Ilford | "Amazing Grace" - "My Chains Are Gone" | Congregational singer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 10 | 2016 | London | Gospel COTY launch | Interviewee | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 23 | 2016 | London | Gospel Choir Of The Year: Preview (Talking Head) | Interviewee | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
August 13 | 2017 | London Abbey Road | Interview | Interviewee | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 13 | 2013 | London | Gospel Choir Of The Year | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 6 | 2013 | London | Gospel Choir Of The Year | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 7 | 2014 | London | "Soon And Very Soon (St John)", "Wonderful" (MA) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 7 | 2014 | London | "Wonderful" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 13 | 2014 | London | "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 30 | 2014 | London | "Go Tell It" (MA Joshua Kesler) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 28 | 2014 | London | Gospel Choir Of The Year (MA) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 19 | 2015 | London | "Beautiful One" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 5 | 2015 | London | "To God Be The Glory" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 02 | 2015 | London | "How Great Is Our God" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 09 | 2015 | London | Shout To The Lord | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 16 | 2015 | London | "He Is Exalted" (MA) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Aug 30 | 2015 | London | Choir Of The Year (Music Advisor) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 15 | 2015 | London | "The Reason Why I Sing" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 22 | 2015 | London | "He Is Exalted" (MA) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 8 | 2015 | London | "Joyful Joyful" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jan 18 | 2015 | London | "Sing Unto The Lord" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
JAN 4 | 2015 | London | "Here I Am To Worship" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 7 | 2015 | London | "Lord I Lift Your Name" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
June 21 | 2015 | London | "We Want To See Jesus Lifted High" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 15 | 2015 | London | Open The Eyes Of My Heart | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 24 | 2015 | London | "Praise Is Rising" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 15 | 2015 | London | "10,000 Reasons" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 18 | 2015 | London | What A Friend | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 26 | 2015 | London | "Amazing Grace" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 4 | 2015 | London | "Beautiful One" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 5 | 2015 | London | Gospel Choir Of The Year (MA) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 06 | 2015 | London | Choir Of The Year | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 07 | 2016 | London | "He Is Exalted" (MA - Ruach) | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 1 | 2016 | London | "Beyond The Norm", Gospel Choir launch | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 21 | 2016 | London | "Here I Am To Worship" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Feb 28 | 2016 | London | Beautiful One | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jul 3 | 2016 | London | "Show Me Love", performed by Laura Mvula | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jun 19 | 2016 | London | "Going Up Yonder" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
March 13 | 2016 | London | "Sing Unto The Lord" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 1 | 2016 | London | Gospel Choir: Music Adviser | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 30 | 2016 | London | Gospel Choir: Music Adviser | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
May 28 | 2017 | London | "It Is Well" | Music Adviser | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 22 | 2013 | London | The Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 27 | 2013 | London | The Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 20 | 2013 | London | Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jul 7 | 2015 | London | Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 12 | 2015 | London | Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 25 | 2016 | London | Christmas Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jul 10 | 2016 | London | Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Oct 1 | 2016 | London | The Big Sing | Performer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
July 2 | 2017 | Stanage Edge | "You Raise Me Up" | Performer with JB Gill | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Sep 1 | 2013 | Blackburn | "Salvations Is Free" (Tessera & Carleen) | Performer, with Tessera | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
JAN 5 | 2014 | Blackburn | "I Surrender All" (with Carleen Anderson) | Performer, with Tessera | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Apr 30 | 2017 | London | "Precious Lord" | Performer, with Tessera | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 3 | 2016 | Sheffield | Choir Of The Year: Seniors | TV Judge | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 10 | 2016 | Sheffield | Choir Of The Year: Juniors | TV Judge | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
April 24 | 2016 | Sheffield | Choir Of The Year: Finals | TV Judge | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Dec 4 | 2016 | Manchester | "Mary Did You Know" | Performer, with Tessera | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jun 05 | 2016 | London | "In Moments Like This" | Arranger, conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jun 05 | 2016 | London | "This Train" | Arranger | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Jun 19 | 2016 | London | "Beautiful One" | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 |
Nov 17 | 2019 | Gospel Choir Of The Year | Overall Musical Director & Producer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Nov 24 | 2019 | Gospel Choir Of The Year | Overall Musical Director & Producer | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Dec 1 | 2019 | Advent | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Dec 8 | 2019 | Edwardian Christmas | Performer (with Rick Astley) | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Dec 15 | 2019 | The Nativity | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Dec 22 | 2019 | The Big Sing Christmas | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Dec 29 | 2019 | The Big Sing Belfast | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Jan 5 | 2020 | New Year Promises | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
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Jan 19 | 2020 | Kinross | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Jan 26 | 2020 | Holocaust Memorial | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Feb 2 | 2020 | Reading | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Feb 9 | 2020 | Autism | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Feb 16 | 2020 | Sacred Inspiration | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Feb 23 | 2020 | Preparing For Lent | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |||||
Mar 8 | 2020 | International Women’s Day | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Mar 15 | 2020 | County Down | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Mar 22 | 2020 | Mothering Sunday | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Mar 29 | 2020 | Aled Jones & Songs Of Praise | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Apr 5 | 2020 | Palm Sunday Glasgow | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Apr 12 | 2020 | Easter Sunday | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Apr 19 | 2020 | Strawberry Field | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
Apr 26 | 2020 | Christian Pilgrimage | Conductor | Songs of Praise, BBC1 | |
A choir ( KWIRE; also known as a chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words is the music performed by the ensemble. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which spans from the medieval era to the present, or popular music repertoire. Most choirs are led by a conductor, who leads the performances with arm, hand, and facial gestures.
Morten Johannes Lauridsen is an American composer and teacher. A National Medal of Arts recipient (2007), he was composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1994 to 2001, and is professor emeritus of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music, where he taught for fifty-two years until his retirement in 2019.
Eric Edward Whitacre is an American composer, conductor, and speaker best known for his choral music.
Robert Lawson Shaw was an American conductor most famous for his work with his namesake Chorale, with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He was known for drawing public attention to choral music through his wide-ranging influence and mentoring of younger conductors, the high standard of his recordings, his support for racial integration in his choruses, and his support for modern music, winning many awards throughout his career.
Roxanna Panufnik is a British composer of Polish descent. She is the daughter of the Polish composer and conductor Sir Andrzej Panufnik and his second wife Camilla, née Jessel.
James Philip Edwin Whitbourn was a British composer and conductor.
Susan Elizabeth Digby, Baroness Eatwell OBE, known as Suzi Digby, is a British choral conductor and music educator.
The HiMiG Singers are a choral group from Davao City in the Philippines.
Tom Price is an Australian and American songwriter, conductor, and musical director best known for his work in choral and orchestral music.
Paul Salamunovich KCSG was a Grammy-nominated, American conductor and educator.
Brian Christopher Kay is an English radio presenter, conductor and singer. He is well-known as the bass in the King's Singers during the group's formative years from 1968 to 1982, and as such is to be heard on many of their 1970s recordings. He was also the voice of Papageno in the film Amadeus and the lowest frog in the Paul McCartney song "We All Stand Together".
Mark Wardell was Assistant Organist at Chichester Cathedral from 1997 to 2009, serving for five of those years as Director of Music at the Prebendal School, the Cathedral Choir's School. He had previously held positions at Royal Holloway College, University of London, St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and Christ's Hospital School, Horsham.
The London A Cappella Festival is an annual series of concerts based at Kings Place, London, showcasing a cappella acts from around the world, curated by the vocal group The Swingle Singers and Ikon Arts Management. The aim of the festival is to celebrate the human voice in all the wide-ranging musical forms; including choral singing, beatbox, barbershop, gospel music, close-harmony, pop, and jazz.
Gareth Edmund Malone is an English choirmaster and broadcaster, self-described as an "animateur, presenter and populariser of choral singing". He is best known for his television appearances in programmes such as The Choir, which focus on singing and introducing choral music to new participants. Malone was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours, for services to music.
Voce is a London-based chamber choir founded in 2003 by Harry Briggs and Suzi Digby.
The Zamir Chorale of Boston, founded in 1969, is a choral group that performs Jewish liturgical pieces, major classical works, music of the Holocaust, newly commissioned compositions, and Israeli, Yiddish, and Ladino folksongs. Zamir has been recognized by American Record Guide as “America’s foremost Jewish choral ensemble.” The documentary film Zamir: Jewish Voices Return to Poland, about the Chorale’s 1999 trip to Eastern Europe, was shown across the country on public television stations. Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi, of The New York Times, called the film “an unforgettable video experience.”
Ralph Woodward is an English classical conductor, arranger and organist. His main focus is on conducting choirs.
James Burton is a British conductor and composer. He is currently the Boston Symphony Orchestra Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. He previously held the position of Director of Orchestral Activities and Master Lecturer in Music at Boston University.
Ben Parry is a British musician, composer, conductor, singer, arranger and producer. He is the director of London Voices and was formerly artistic director of the National Youth Choir.
The London Boy Singers were an English boys' choir which formed in 1961. It initially drew its members from the Finchley Children's Music Group. The choir was started at the suggestion of Benjamin Britten, who was its first president.