We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
We are very pleased to be announcing the appointment of the group’s next First Baritone and First Countertenor, who will be starting at different points in 2026. Christopher Bruerton’s successor as First Baritone will be Joseph Edwards; Patrick Dunachie’s successor as First Countertenor will be Peter Hicks.
Earlier this year, we published the news that Chris and Pat will be leaving during 2026, after 14 and 10 years in the group respectively. We then began our first ever openly-advertised audition process, which concluded last week. From their application submissions and first round through to their final auditions, both Joey and Peter impressed us, each bringing something special to these distinct roles whilst combining to make an unmistakable King’s Singers group sound with the existing members.
Joseph Edwards (Joey) will become our sixth First Baritone since the group’s inception in 1968, succeeding Richard Salter, Anthony Holt, Bruce Russell, Philip Lawson, and Christopher Bruerton. He will begin his tenure in May 2026. His career as a soloist and consort singer has led him to perform in prestigious venues worldwide. He has worked with professional groups across the UK, including Tenebrae, Alamire, Fretwork, Academy of Ancient Music, and Sansara. He began singing as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he sang for numerous royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He later became a choral scholar at King’s College London and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction. He was also awarded the highest graduate diploma (DipRAM) for performance. In addition to his performing career, Joseph is a choral director and singing teacher, and his students have performed on the West End stage and have become award-winning graduates of London conservatoires. Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator, and takes pride in making choral singing accessible to all.
On being appointed, Joey writes: “I am absolutely over the moon to be the next First Baritone of The King’s Singers, it is such a huge honour to be singing alongside these exceptional gents. Chris has been an inspiration and it’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps, and I’ll miss hearing his gorgeous, silky sound in the lineup. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next few months as I prepare to take on the role. I’ve admired The King’s Singers all my life so it feels unbelievably exciting (and surreal!) to be joining them, and I can’t wait for the wonderful journey ahead, meeting audiences across the world and making brilliant music with some very good pals.”
Chris writes: “From the first round of auditions to the last, it became increasingly clear that Joey was the standout candidate and it’s an absolute joy to be passing on the First Baritone jersey to such a lovely guy. He’s a world-class musician and has a dreamy voice. The group’s in great hands and I can’t wait to join our fans in celebrating this new lineup in the years to come.”
Peter Hicks will become our fifth (full-time) First Countertenor, succeeding Nigel Perrin, Jeremy Jackman, David Hurley and Patrick Dunachie. Peter will start his tenure in September 2026. He is currently singing as a lay clerk at Guildford Cathedral. His love of singing began as a chorister at St John's College, Cambridge (where he also crossed paths with Julian, who was an undergraduate tenor while Peter was a treble!). Peter studied Maths, and then Music, at Durham University, and sang as a choral scholar at Durham Cathedral before going on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing under Robert Hollingworth at the University of York, graduating in 2023 with distinction. Peter was also a member of the National Youth Choir for five years, performing with them across the country, including as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall. He is one of National Youth Choir’s Fellows this year - their scheme for emerging professional artists. Peter has enjoyed building a professional portfolio career as a freelance musician, singing with such groups as I Fagiolini, Kantos, and De Profundis, and also has a growing career as a conductor, working with various choirs in the Surrey area. He is the musical director of the Chantry Singers, and has also founded his own group, the Stag Consort.
Peter writes: “Having said for years to anyone that has asked me about my future: “Well, the dream job would be to be in the King’s Singers…”, for it to now be becoming a reality is utterly surreal. I have been a fan of the group for as long as I can remember, and so it is with a huge amount of respect for my predecessors and excitement that I look forward to receiving the First Countertenor baton from Pat! It was so lovely to work with and start to get to know the guys during the audition process, and I can’t wait to begin this incredible adventure!”
On the news of Peter’s appointment, Pat writes: “It is a total joy to be handing over to Peter next year (and indeed to have Joey as my colleague, at least for a short while!). It's really an emotional moment to see what the group's next chapter will look like, and both Peter and Joey really impressed us in the auditions. Voices like theirs don't come along very often, and I can't wait to be in the audience to enjoy their work as the group heads towards its 60th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, over the coming months I will enjoy getting to know them both, rehearsing with them, and watching them make the roles their own.”
Between now and their first concerts, Joey and Peter will spend time rehearsing and travelling with the group, and beginning the process of learning the large pile of music that awaits new members of The King’s Singers, ready to hit the ground running when they start.
