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Leading Voices: Trinity Boys Choir
The Trinity Boys Choir was established by former Director of Music, David Squibb. The choir’s first professional engagement was in the mid-1960s and over the years they gained a national reputation, particularly for opera and Britten’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, which has a key role for boy singers.
David Swinson took over in 2001 and has elevated the choir to world-class status. Trinity Boys Choir is now requested to perform in prestigious venues, record TV and film soundtracks, and back renowned artists internationally. They are the leading boys’ choir.
MUSICAL DIRECTION
“When I started, I had two goals: to enhance the day-to-day singing in the school and to build an international reputation for the choir.
Trinity Boys Choir can only be the headline act if lots of singing is happening in school every day. I introduced the philosophy that singing is natural and something that every child can do. I wanted every boy who joined Trinity to believe they could be part of a choir if they wanted to.
If students are committed to the choir, we will do our best to make them as good as they can be and opportunities to perform will follow. That has underpinned everything we have tried to do.
The starting point is the Junior and First Year choir. It’s fast, enthusiastic, boisterous – reinforcing the message that singing is fun.
As the students’ abilities develop, there are more choirs for them to get involved in. Understanding the students as singers and as individuals allows me to pick the right boys for different professional engagements.
For example, a large group of boys recently performed in Lord of the Rings at the Royal Albert Hall, we had time to teach them the music, so it was open to all; the Royal Opera House needs more experienced singers, and physical attributes are also a consideration; productions vary and often enthusiasm is valued over finesse. The other end of the spectrum is recording film soundtracks; these are professional engagements, but there is time pressure, so the boys need strong music reading skills.
The jobs we book range in terms of what we’re paid, but we focus on the educational ‘earnings’, not financial. Anything we earn goes into a pot, and this funds free singing lessons, travel expenses and other incredible opportunities such as the choir’s tour to China this summer. It removes financial barriers to participation.
LEARNING LIFE SKILLS
We receive many requests, but an important aspect for me is ‘what is the educational value?’
Working professionally, we are teaching boys as young as 10 some important life skills that they will take forward into their future careers. They learn how to take responsibility, organise their time, behave appropriately in a grown-up environment and be charming with it.
We talk to them about the expectations on them in terms of performance but also behaviour. We remind them that they have a responsibility to the next generation of singers and are there because of the boys who went before them.
We like to give opportunities that stretch and challenge, because that’s our role as teachers, and it’s wonderful to see how they respond. We let them make mistakes because that’s how they learn. I can always trust them, but I also know afterwards, they will need to let off steam, so that’s something we always factor in!"
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A LEADING BOYS’ CHOIR?
It’s the package we offer, with experience built up over 60 years:
– We must deliver musically – over the years I have learnt what those expectations are, and ensure the boys are prepared. That could include basic practising, memorising the music, or ensuring our German, Spanish or French language is as good as possible
– The boys must behave appropriately, not just on day one, but for the full six-week run
– Facilities – we have a state-of-the-art recording studio, which means for some jobs, students don’t even need to leave school
– Supportive school – Trinity is very supportive of the choir’s activities and can be flexible to the demands of professional jobs: rehearsals, trips away, supporting students who miss school
– Supportive parents - they trust our experience and knowledge that this is a positive experience for their children and provide the support they need at home.
SUCCESS STORIES
Third Year Ben Fletcher was the soprano of choice last year, performing with the Trinity Boys Choir and also working solo around Europe. He says, “I joined the choir as a JBug and hadn’t done much singing before. It helped that I play violin and piano, so I understand music and had performed quite a bit in festivals and orchestras.
Last year was very busy! In addition to school choir trips and chorister services, I sang in four operas in Italy, Budapest, France, and here in the UK at Glyndebourne. I also took part in three film recordings and sang the solo part in a concert with a baroque orchestra in Spain.
I loved touring around Europe; I love the independence, being on stage, and I have made some amazing friends. The coach trips and hotel or apartment stays with friends are some of my best memories and experiences from the past year. It feels good to be part of the music community at Trinity.”
Trinity alumnus Mark Fleming was a member of the Trinity Boys Choir from 1976-84, was Head Chorister, and went on to study music at the University of East Anglia and the Royal College of Music. He is now a member of a comedic cabaret vocal group Cantabilethe London Quartet.
Mark remembers the experiences of the choir as ‘exciting and fun’, as well as laying important foundations for his career in music: “The remarkable opportunities we were given when so young, and the high standards that were expected from us (without undue pressure) have stood me in good stead for my musical career. My singing, writing, arranging, conducting and violin playing were all informed greatly by my years at Trinity, the music department created a brilliant learning environment.
There are many choir highlights: I was a first-generation fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Aldeburgh Festival, performed with Barry Forgie & the BBC Big Band, at the Royal Albert Hall, and with Bing Crosby on his last ever TV appearance – though I got moved for picking my nose!”
A YEAR IN THE LIFE
– 100% of new boys sing in a concert
– 100+ boys sing professionally as part of the Trinity Boys Choir
– 35+ boys have travelled abroad with the choir
– The choir engages in over 50 professional engagements annually.
