King's College Choir performs in Washington as part of US tour
The world-renowned choir completes a US tour, which included a performance at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington.
British Ambassador Peter Westmacott hosted the world-renowned Choir of King’s College, Cambridge at a post-performance reception, this Sunday, where guests were treated to a small concert by the Choir.
During the reception, the choir gave a performance of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Hymn to the Virgin.’ The line-up also included modern music such as the Beach Boys’ hit ‘I Get Around.’
We diplomats do our best to promote our countries abroad, but great music has a power to communicate across cultures we can only envy,” said Ambassador Westmacott in remarks he delivered at the event. “As well as being terrific musicians, you are all great ambassadors for British culture.
The choir, famous for its live annual Christmas Eve performances of the ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,’ has just completed a US tour, which included the April 7 performance at the Washington National Cathedral as well as concerts in Chicago, St. Paul, Philadelphia and Princeton.
King Henry VI established the choir in 1441. The membership of the choir, directed by Dr. Stephen Cleobury CBE, is made up of 14 choral scholars and 16 choristers between the ages of 9 and 13.