King’s Singer Returns to Hereford
Patrick Dunachie, the latest recruit to the internationally acclaimed King’s Singers, was back in Hereford recently. He was a chorister and a pupil at Hereford Cathedral School before winning a choral scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge.
He and the rest of the King’s Singers spent a day in Hereford, working with local primary school pupils and then giving a fantastic concert in the Cathedral in the evening.
After graduating from King’s in the summer of 2015, Patrick moved to Oxford where he sang as a Lay Clerk in Christ Church Cathedral Choir. He combined these roles with teaching and freelance work with various choirs and consorts, and as a soloist before joining the King’s Singers.
Patrick (second left) says: “ When I was about 14, I told my English teacher that my dream job would be singing first countertenor in The King’s Singers, and so I feel really lucky that the dream has come true!”
Hereford Cathedral School’s Director of Music, David Evans, said: “This wonderful event combined the highly polished choral dexterity of the Cathedral Choristers, Cantabile, the girls’ choir, Chamber Choir and the outstanding children from Kingsland, Mordiford St Paul’s and St James’ Schools, with the hugely professional and talented King’s Singers. Performing individually and together in an extremely successful concert, they showed what real collaboration can provide for all.”
David continued: “Such occasions bring international artists to our doorstep, inspire audiences and performers alike. That’s what real education is about! It was an evening that showed the formative years of a now King’s Singer – from Hereford Cathedral chorister, via Cathedral School Chamber Choir to professional singer on the international stage.”
And the final words go to Patrick: “The Chamber Choir (with which he was singing just 5 year ago) sounded excellent – please pass on to them how impressed my colleagues and I were. It’s wonderful to see that music at HCS is (as ever) in such marvellous shape.”