Internationally renowned a capella group The King’s Singers are delighted to announce the appointment of Piers Connor Kennedy as their next bass, in January 2025.
Earlier this year, the group’s current bass, Jonathan Howard (Johnny), announced his forthcoming departure after 14 years in the ensemble. This began an audition process which concluded last week, and from an impressive pool of candidates Kennedy made a real impression on the group with the richness and warmth of his low range, clear and present musicianship, and his entertaining performances.
In the years since completing his degree in Music from Oxford University, Kennedy has enjoyed a fruitful career combining both singing and composing. Alongside studying for a doctorate in composition at Oxford, he has written commissions for the Three Choirs Festival, Wigmore Hall, Ex Cathedra, and held a composing residency at St Peter’s College, Oxford. His choral work has included performing with The Tallis Scholars, Tenebrae, and Sansara, among others.
Between now and his first King’s Singers concert in the new year, Kennedy will undertake a ‘shadowing’ period during which he will join the group for some of their touring commitments, rehearse with them, and begin learning and preparing the group’s repertoire.
On the announcement of his appointment, Kennedy said:
“I’m very humbled, chuffed and excited to be the 29th King’s Singer. It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment! Johnny leaves enormous shoes to fill, literally and figuratively, and as a fan it’ll be an odd experience not hearing him as part of the group in the future! But I can’t wait to get started and to make amazing music with these very fine chaps”.
Jonathan Howard said:
“Piers is an extraordinary singer, musician and performer, who bowled us all over throughout the audition process. He’s also an extremely lovely, funny, ferociously intelligent and generous guy. I can’t wait for all of our friends and fans across the world to meet him and enjoy his talent, and feel very proud to be handing the bass mantle on to somebody so deserving after 14 very happy years as a King’s Singer”.
Howard will continue touring and performing with the group internationally for the coming seven months.
Photo: Patrick Connor Kennedy © 2024
