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• Johnny's News Update - 26th Aug 2010
• A Note From Jonathan Howard: What It's Like Becoming A King's Singer - 25th Jun 2010

25 / 06 / 2010 - A note from Jonathan Howard: What it's like becoming a King's Singer

It’s now been four weeks since I received the astonishing news that the current King’s Singers wanted to appoint me as the new bass in the group. It still hasn’t sunk in, by any stretch of the imagination, and even the prospects of filling in new tax forms and applying for a second passport have failed to dull my excitement. I have been delighted by the acquisition of new clothes – we had my first ever King’s Singers photo shoot on 7 June so that our agents in the UK and abroad can advertise all of our concerts from October 2nd onwards with pictures of the new line-up –, lots of new notes – I already have well over forty close-harmony pieces to commit to memory – and, most importantly, new friends. It was never a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t get on with my colleagues, but already I’ve had so much fun – even during the audition process, despite my nerves. David, Tim, Paul, Phil, Chris and Stephen have all seemed so concerned to make my transition from advertising into their incredibly busy world as seamless and enjoyable as possible, not to mention the brilliant support I have had from our management team. I have already sat through my first business meeting, had my shadowing of King’s Singers tours in July and September organised, handed in my resignation at work (perhaps predictably, my worries that it would be received with apoplexy were unfounded), and my King’s Singers suit has been tailored to perfection. Tasks ahead include me passing my driving test (something which is long overdue), moving house (I think I’ll need a garden to unwind in after our longer tours) and going on a completely hedonistic holiday: preferably with a few friends on an antipodean island, to gather my thoughts and strength before my first full term – I’m sure it’s going to be knackering!

It’s almost impossible for me to say what I’m looking forward to most when I fully join the group in October. Of course I’m very excited about the travel, and I get to visit some incredible places before the year is out, including Sweden, Bermuda and the US. Singing with the group on stage is, again, going to be so special, given how many times I’ve watched their performances and dreamt of joining in! Most of all, though, I think it’s simply going to be being an integral part of a group comprised of such wonderful and talented people. To think that it’s actually going to be my job is, still, completely unfathomable to me at the moment. Let’s hope that I’ve got used to it by October….