Organist and conductor Daniel Hyde will take up the role of musical director at King’s College in October 2019, succeeding the distinguished Stephen Cleobury who is retiring after an incredible 36 years with the formidable choir.
Hyde will take on the role next year, stepping down from his current position as organist and Director of Music at St Thomas Church in New York – a post he has held since 2016. He will be returning to King’s once again, having completed an organ scholarship there as an undergraduate in 2000.
He will be the sixth person to hold the position at King’s since the 20th Century; and the ninth substantive appointment since 1799.
I'm honoured to have this opportunity to return to @Kings_College and am looking forward to the many exciting challenges ahead. It's a privilege to take over from @SJCleobury - here's to an epic final season for him at the helm of the @ChoirOfKingsCam. https://t.co/oUHT42Adxl
— Daniel Hyde (@danielhydeorgan) May 23, 2018
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‘As a former Organ Scholar I am honoured and thrilled to be appointed to succeed Stephen Cleobury as Director of Music at King’s,’ says Hyde.
‘I am humbled to be given the opportunity to act as steward and guardian of the unique and world-class heritage that King’s College Choir has achieved over centuries.’
Head of the College, Provost, Professor Michael Proctor says: ‘I am very pleased that we have managed to secure the services of such a distinguished musician as Daniel.'
‘We look forward to him bringing his skills and extensive experience to bear in developing further the already outstanding musical offering of the College.’
Dean of King's College Chapel, Stephen Cherry, is thrilled about the new directorship: 'The panel saw in Daniel Hyde someone not only of outstanding musical talent but of personal maturity and wide-ranging intellect.'
'The expectations will be great, but I am confident that we have in Daniel someone who will sustain and develop our choral liturgy in ways that will delight and inspire.'
Since 1982, Cleobury’s work at King’s has led to many rich collaborations with orchestras and soloists worldwide, including the Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Philharmonia Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as the ensemble Endymion.
He has worked with a variety of artists and engaged in numerous musical activities during his tenure, bringing diversity and energy to one of the most famous choirs in the world.
In addition to holding the title of Music Director, Cleobury was also a conductor for the Cambridge University Musical Society, Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from 1995 to 2007, and has been Conductor Laureate since 2007. He also holds an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music.
To find out more about the King’s College Choir, visit the website here.