Postcard from The King's Singers
This week’s postcard comes from The King's Singers member, Jonathan Howard. The King's Singers was founded in 1968 and has since performed a diverse range of repertoire at world-renowned venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, New York City's Carnegie Hall, and Sydney's Opera House. They are recipients of two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award, and have earned their place in the Gramophone Magazine's Inaugural Hall of Fame.
The King's Singers, Bass, Jonathon Howard
How did you first learn about SFGC?
We were lucky enough to workshop with SFGC last year when we performed at Stanford. We were so impressed by their musicianship, ability to perform complex contemporary music with precision and real character, and loved their focus, positive energy and willingness to try whatever we suggested.
How did you become a musician/singer? Tell us about what you’ve done and what you do now.
Most of the guys in the group sang as choristers in churches and cathedrals from a very young age, tackling new music for services almost every day, and singing in some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK (and in New Zealand, in the case of Chris). My story is a bit different. I sang in community children’s choirs from the age of 8, although I’d been singing at home for as long as I can remember - memorizing hymn books and whole albums of music, and singing along to whatever was playing in the car incessantly. I started singing in a more professional context only when I arrived at university, although at that point it was just as a hobby. I have always loved singing, but it was honestly only when I received a call from The King’s Singers inviting me to audition (almost 11 years ago!) that I considered it as a career. I think it’s one of the reasons I’ve loved this job so much - because I never expected it!
A lot of our choristers have parents who are not musicians - what would you like to tell them about what it means for a young person to be doing music?
Although both of my parents love music, neither is a musician and it was me who drove my musical education forward, rather than them. There are so many benefits to doing music when you’re growing up (and still now, I don’t think they ever go away), but I value three in particular. One, I have so many friends from making music together, and these are quality friendships because we clearly share interests and care to achieve the same goals. Two, learning music is just like learning a language, and I’m certain that some of my linguistic, mathematical and public-facing skills derive from having spent much of my early life reading, deconstructing and performing music. Three, my eyes have been opened to so many different world cultures through the music I’ve heard and performed. From my point of view, it is our duty is to learn about others in order to be the best global citizens we can, and music is a brilliant window into how different places and people across the world live and express themselves.
The King's Singers in performance (photo credit: Nicholas Hampson)
For girls who wish to become professional musicians and composers - anything you’d like to share with them?
Let’s stick with three points again here. One, I’d say that hard work is essential. It takes a long time to become a musician of a professional standard, and it can happen at different speeds for different people (particularly as singers, our voices develop at different rates and at different times). Don’t feel depressed if people around you are gaining successes earlier on - your time will come! - but know that it’s very hard to be seen unless you’ve really devoted time to your craft, whatever stage you’re at. Two, work out where the intersection is between what you’re really good at, and what you love doing. If you’re a brilliant operatic soprano but can’t belt, it probably makes more sense for you to pursue opera rather than a career in musical theatre. But if you hate opera and live for musical theatre, find the roles that really suit your voice so that you’re most likely to be successful. Finally, three, be nice! As a musician, you have to work with others in teams, and will need to interact with sponsors, presenters and bookers who ultimately pay for you to live. Be punctual, be hard-working, and above all, be the kind of person you yourself would want to work with.
The King's Singers (photo credit: Rebecca Reid)
Why is it important to continue practicing music and have online performances in this time of pandemic?
We know that music has an incredible power to fill us with optimism and to bind us together. Our world feels more fractured right now than it has for a very long time. My belief is that we need as much positive music and music-making in the world as possible, to help us all get through this difficult time. When it comes to singing, I think it even goes a step further. We’re all craving human connection right now, and there’s nothing more human than seeing someone using their voice and body as their instrument for making music and connecting with others. Online concerts is the tool we have right now for building these bridges with others, and so we have to use it.
Anything you would like to add?
Just that you’re a brilliant, very talented and positive group of musicians, and I’m so pleased that we get to work together. Please keep doing what you’re doing!
The King's Singers (photo credit: Rebecca Reid)