King's Ely Chapel Choir sing Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral

King's Ely Chapel Choir were invited to sing Evensong to around 800 people inside St Paul's Cathedral on November 25th - and there were some very familiar faces in the audience!

Forty-eight students and four members of staff travelled to the capital to perform Choral Evensong. This was King's Ely's fifth time at St Paul's, and Chapel Choir sang Preces and Responses by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange, Stanford in A, a rather tricky psalm, and Let all the World by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Lots of King's families, Old Eleans, and friends of the school managed to attend the service, including six former choir members and choristers - much to Mr Neil Porter-Thaw's and Mr Peter North's delight! Among them was Charlie Bick and Peter Davey, for whom 2024 marks 20 years since they left King's.

Mr Porter-Thaw, who is our Director of Music, said: "Many visitors and tourists at St Paul's decided to stay for Evensong after they had heard us rehearsing earlier in the day. The choir received lots of congratulations after the service, which was lovely for students and staff alike. For me, a very special moment was to be greeted by six Old Eleans and ex-choristers, who I looked after decades ago! There was also a large amount of family support, which was hugely appreciated. For Year 13 members of the choir, it was all a little emotional too, knowing that King's had provided them with such a special memory and opportunity.

"Congratulations to all of the pupils, who were a pleasure to be with, keen to learn and participate, and an absolute credit to themselves and the school, both in performance and behaviour. It is no surprise that we have been invited back again next year!"