The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace, has been enriching the cultural and spiritual life of England for nearly five hundred years. Today’s Choir comprises six men who are professional singers and up to 18 boys. The choirboys range in age from seven to thirteen and attend various local schools both state-run and independent. During the services they sing religious choral works dating from the 16th century to modern day composers.
The Director of Music, Mr Carl Jackson, is always interested in hearing from potential choristers. You may contact him here.
We are delighted to have appointed Joshua Simões to the role of Assistant Director of Music at HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace, where he will begin work in September 2024.
Joshua began his musical journey as a chorister at Westminster Abbey under the direction of James O’Donnell, singing the various special services, most notably the Royal Wedding in 2011. Currently, Joshua is combining his studies as a postgraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studies with Prof. David Titterington on a scholarship, with the position of Chapel Organist at Harrow School, having previously held the organ scholarship at the London Oratory. He is generously supported by the Eric Thompson Trust and The Countess of Munster Trust and has been awarded all the major prizes at the RAM and, in 2020 was a prize winner at the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition along with a Quarterfinal appearance at the St Albans International Organ competition.
A devotee of contemporary music, Joshua made a critically acclaimed CD with the choir of King’s College London, for Delphian Records, of ‘Organ and Choral music by Edward Nesbit’. The recording received five stars in ‘Choir & Organ’ magazine and was a Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’, the latter stating that “Joshua played superbly with virtuoso use of the organ”. Joshua has since collaborated with composers such as Morgan Hayes, Robin Haigh, Simon Rowland-Jones, and Carmen Ho, appearing with the Orion Orchestra, Strand Consort and performing in the Charles Wood Singing Festival where he appeared on BBC Radio 3 and Radio Ulster, Chiltern arts Festival and Presteigne Festival. Recent concert engagements have taken Joshua around all the prominent UK concert venues including recent recitals at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.
This year’s Chorister Open Day will take place on Saturday 5th October.
Local school boys aged 7 to 9 years (school years 3 to 5) are warmly invited to find out what life is like as a chorister of the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.
This family friendly event includes:
There is no need to prepare anything in advance, as we simply want boys to come along to find out if this could be for them. Auditions will follow in November, and places are awarded to boys from a wide range of local schools and backgrounds in the southwest London and Surrey areas. This is an opportunity open to every boy who has a love of singing – come and find out more!
Please direct any email enquiries to Sophie Baylis at choristeropenday@hrp.org.uk
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS YEAR ARE NOW CLOSED.
Attendance at the Open Day is by pre-registration only. We will be unable to allow you entry if you do not have confirmation of your place.
Deadline: Wednesday 2nd October 2024
A scholarship is available from Hampton School for boys entering at the First Year. Choral Scholarships are awarded in conjunction with the Chapel Royal and boys who win this scholarship are expected to sing in the Chapel Royal Choir until their voice breaks.
For further details please contact Hampton School via their website at hamptonschool.org.uk or telephone them on 020 8783 4200.
All photographs of the Chapel Royal or taken in the Chapel Royal are with the gracious permission of His Majesty The King.
Copyright © HM Chapel Royal and The Choral Foundation 2011-2022. You may not use any imagery on this website without permission.
The Chapel Royal
Hampton Court Palace
KT8 9AU