Once in Royal David's City
Former choristers share their memories of singing the Once in Royal David's City solo at the beginning of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast on Christmas Eve.
Every Christmas Eve at two minutes past three, a choirboy steps up to a microphone and sings the first verse of Once in Royal David鈥檚 City. For many people this iconic moment signals the start of their Christmas, as they wrap their final presents or rustle up some mince pies whilst listening to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College Cambridge. The tradition of opening the service with a lone treble voice is well known. What is not so well known is the fact that the Musical Director chooses this soloist just before the transmission begins giving a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy just minutes to compose himself before singing the solo live to an audience of millions across the globe.
This programme takes a look at the singing of this iconic solo as a number of former soloists talk about their experience. They include; Rupert Peacock (who is studying for his A levels), Rodney Williams (who sang the solo in 1954 and went on to sing in the Westminster Abbey choir for the funerals of Mountbatten and Princess Diana), Jon Wimpeney (now studying Computer Science) and composer Bob Chilcott (who sang the solo three times in the mid-1960s). In addition, we hear from 100-year-old David Briggs, who sang in the first broadcast Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in 1928 and later became headmaster of the choir school.
Other contributors: the three Johnston brothers (only one of whom actually sang the Once in Royal David's City solo), Jill Etheridge (House Master for the choristers at King鈥檚 College School and the mother of a former soloist) and retiring Musical Director Stephen Cleobury.
Producer: Helen Lee
Last on
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge
"When he pointed at me in the chapel, I was so dazed and confused..."
Rupert Johnston's 1989 solo means a lot to his family, for a special reason...
Once in royal David's city
An important memory, for him and his family, of Rupert Johnston's solo in 1989.
Stepping up to the challenge
Rupert Peacock looks back on singing the solo in 2012 and 2013.
Broadcasts
- Christmas Day 2018 13:15大象传媒 Radio 4
- Christmas Eve 2020 23:00大象传媒 Radio 4