Members of the group

Simon Ponsford (Alto I) developed a fascination with all things sub-aquatic during his gap year in Malaysia. Since coming to Cambridge, he has risen to the position of Secretary in the University Scuba-Diving Society, the fruits of which labours he reveals (albeit infrequently) to his closest ring of friends: it is rumoured that he is in the process of crafting a pearl necklace for a certain fortunate lady. Above the sea level, he enjoys the superior self-catering facilities provided by King’s, and his experiments in the field of baked goods have rendered some especially delicious results: his cream-filled eclairs were rather good, but the most successful have been his iced buns, which (although a little on the burnt side) were truly beautiful.

Ed Rex (Alto I) The decision to appoint Edmund Rex as choral scholar in 2007 was heralded by many to be the most revolutionary movement yet in the choral world. Edmund, born Musharaf El Ben Hasif, was the child of the controversial Caucasian Shiite imam Dr. Huzaz El Ben Hasif of 1980‘s infamy. He was raised in the strict Muslim tradition yet always harboured ambitions to be a singer within the Christian church. His chance came in the form of the E4 television programme ‘Ramadan to Riches’ in which Edmund was picked from amongst many young Muslim men and women for his natural and alluring countertenor voice. He was given training and asked to compete against other teenage talents, but television fame did not quite arrive for Edmund. However Jesus did, and in 2006 a year before his application to Cambridge he met his now fiancé Father Stephen Montford, a trainee Presbyterian minister. After changing his name to Edmund ‘Rex’ in honour of his new found religious fervour, he began his time as a fully fledged member of King’s. Indeed the rich religious tapestry that embodies Edmund and Stephen’s lives means that they are truly a symbol of the diverse and liberal atmosphere that the college prides itself on.

Patrick Stobbs (Alto II) educated at Eton in strict Neo-Protestant Catholicism, he naturally gravitated towards studying Theology at Cambridge. Through his love of religion he brings a much needed peace and tranquillity to the frantic and often stressed vestry of King’s Chapel. This is perhaps best demonstrated by the exemplary mental readiness he displays in preparation for each service. Whilst others bustle around him, he can always be found at least half an hour before every service meditating on the music and worship that the choir are about to undertake. Unsurprisingly, Patrick is also an outspoken moralist and prominent member of The Abstinence Alliance, and plans this summer to give a series of lectures to a no doubt packed King’s Chapel, in which he will speak on the importance of pure practice. To add to his many virtues Patrick is also a keen sportsman and is coincidentally a Cambridge blue — with his Hawks membership earned for his two half blues in ball room dancing and croquet. He also plans to marry his long term beau — Miss Mary Forsythe de Clancy, after he has graduated in Summer of 2009.

Joel Robinson (Tenor I) prefers the rare Nordic pronunciation of his name “Joël” (as in “Noël”.) He reads Social and Political Sciences, widely regarded as the most academically challenging and intense degree at the University of Cambridge. Despite this, he still somehow finds time to sing with the renowned praise band The Marmite Motorway, and is an active member of the University Buddhist Cookery Club. Joel has an interesting background as a former face model for Braun beard trimmers, having got into acting at an early age in the famous “I’m a big boy now” adverts of Huggies nappies, in which he modelled and sang the slogan. Joel comes from Bromley, which is not really in Kent.

Jonathan Kanagasooriam (Tenor I) after an early audition for the part of the Southern Hemisphere Milkybar Kid, found fame in other arenas: it has recently emerged that he is twenty-fourth in line to the throne of Sri Lanka, and is therefore entitled to dine at the King’s table four times per year. In his spare time, he continues to maintain a healthy interest in all things chocolate-related — he is rarely seen without a Curly-Wurly in hand. Having spent five happy years at Eton, he is consumed by a passion for the highest possible standards of education, and is frequently spotted on his way to and from Colleges other than his own, where he undertakes invaluable work for EAT (the Educational Advisory Trust of King’s College).

Edmund Hastings (Tenor II) is one of the finest academics in his year: his work in linguistics, studying the French invasion of Britain and its consequent impact on the language, has already been acclaimed by the Faculty of Modern and Mediaeval Languages as an achievement worthy of the most experienced postgraduate student. When not in the library — and he has been known to remain there until the early hours of the morning — he enjoys listening to the piano music of Eric Satie, shunning the loud rock music favoured by so many of his peers in favour of the reflective sounds that so greatly aid his study.

James Kanagasooriam (Tenor II) is the only member of the choir in history to have attempted the rigorous Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic studies degree at Cambridge. Paling into insignificance in the shadow of his elder and more successful brother, he is only twenty-fifth in-line to the throne of Sri Lanka. However, being of an altogether more rebellious nature he has withdrawn his claim to the throne, choosing instead to live in the relative poverty of the suburbs of Canterbury, where he works as a street entertainer. James takes particular enjoyment in the singing of madrigals and early music, an enjoyment which springs from his time at Eton where he founded the now world-famous madrigal group ‘Olim pinguis in extremis’. Following his Anglo-Saxon course, James plans to take an MPhil in the history of the Dark Ages, focusing on the architectural development of ancient monastic Abbeys.

Ashley Riches (Baritone) is certainly one of the group’s “larger than life” characters. Following an education at Winchester College he has come to be known as the most organised member of the King’s choir, gaining a reputation for diligence and musical excellence in his contribution to the daily services. Indeed, many of the group are envious of Ashley’s spotless record as being the only member of the current choir never to have turned up late to a rehearsal. Despite appearing to be a rather loud Yorkshireman, Ashley is one of the more mild-mannered and shy members of the group, never going out his way to make his presence known. As such, he has become notorious for his subtlety and deft touch in dealing with the most sensitive personal issues.

Edward Blakeney (Baritone), born into a Glossop coal mining family in May 1989, Edward ‘Ted’ Blakeney was far from the privileged, verdant pastures of the South and its choir schools, the usual training ground for future choral scholars. Yet, that did not stop his burning desire to become a classically trained light-calibre baritone. Defying the wishes of his family, at the age of 17, Ted trained and entered himself into the ‘Sheffield Performing Arts Society’(SPAS) scholarship programme, and against all odds won a place to study ‘vocal sciences’ in London. After a whirlwind year in the big city, Ted emerged from the conservatoires of our great capital to fulfil his lifelong dream of singing with Kings College Chapel Choir. Although Ted may have reached for the stars and indeed grasped them, one is always warmly reminded of his humble roots, by the lilting Yorkshire twang that inflects his dulcet tones.

Mark Begbie (Bass I) came to King’s after a year spent planting trees in Guatemala. The sudden transition to the formality of the King’s choir stalls was initially a time of trial for him, since his true musical ambition lies far away from cathedral music, in the realms of recording engineering. In this area he has particular expertise, assisting the Spice Girls’ former producer on his latest project, and acting as a microphone consultant for the chart-topping group The Choirboys. Despite his technological bent, his natural charm as a conversationalist comes to the forefront every Sunday evening, when he hosts a chat show live on Cambridge University Radio, covering topics from gay clergy to the latest music being played in the ‘Tanzhaus’es of Berlin.

Andrew Tipple (Bass I) maintains, alongside his work in the Choir and with Collegium Regale, a weekly column in one of the University newspapers, in which he grapples with the big issues of our times. His perfect understanding of the zeitgeist also allows him to make frighteningly accurate insights when in Chapel, and both the Dean and Chaplain have been known to refer to his considerable knowledge when preparing their sermons. Never one for excessive indulgence in any field, Andrew maintains a teetotal lifestyle, sipping mineral water as others engage in mindless drinking competitions: the clear-headedness resulting from such abstinence allows him to maintain an impeccable record of accuracy when in the choir stalls.

James Mawson (Bass II) is one the most eclectic and varied men in the group. He has travelled widely, including a memorable trip to Venezuela in his GAP year and it was there that he discovered his deep love of potholing and other outdoor pursuits. His arrival in Cambridge was something of a change for him, as he spent the majority of his life before university in the less privileged surroundings of inner-city Slough. However, he has embraced all the opportunities that have come his way, somehow managing to fit it all in around his demanding studies in Oriental Languages. He is particularly interested in Persian literature, and is frequently seen studying late into the night in the rooms of his favoured supervisor. A keen sportsman, James is a vital member of the college 1st XV rugby team and hopes to push for a place in the University Blues squad over the coming months.

Nicholas Bown (Bass II) is delighted to be on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a musicologist at Cambridge. Now a graduate student, he has published papers on the comic operas of Serge Koussevitsky and Gilad Atzmon. However the beginning of his musical career was not a conventional one. Born Nicholas Fildes into an orthodox Jewish family, he emigrated from Transylvania aged five already engaged in an arranged marriage. Loyal to his faith, he has remained fully committed to his partner, who was responsible for introducing him to contemporary Jewish music, and the rest of the western classical tradition. Nicholas looks forward this summer to completing the first year of his doctorate on Koussevitsky’s biblical work The Ossifications of Naomi, and to his forthcoming wedding in July.

Peter Stevens (Organ Scholar) is perhaps not what one would expect from a typical Cambridge organ scholar. Whilst most organists are quiet, reserved and could be perhaps described as socially awkward, Peter is anything but the traditional stereotype. Peter has made quite an impact upon the University socially and is already (even though only in his second term) a bit of an apocryphal figure. Legendary bouts of drinking, and charming yet roguish behaviour have made him a college name, a name synonymous with totally debauched excess. Capitalising upon his notoriety in the first term, Peter became the founding member of the Pope’s Army, a now notorious drinking society. Thankfully, his antics have not (so far) infringed upon his talent in the chapel or in the faculty, and the sight of him daily propping up the College bar drinking his “usual” (a half pint of gin with Midori) is one which many members and fellows of College find both heartening and of great comfort. He plans after his degree to move into the rather volatile world of extreme sports after spending his gap year as a semi-pro BMX racer in Canada. A keen cricketer, Peter currently bats for Oxford.

Thomas Kimber (Organ Scholar) It is almost impossible, within music circles to even whisper the word ‘organ’, and not have the name ‘Thomas James Kimber’ follow it directly. Raised in the unorthodox Junket-Smithson style by the late great jazz organist Xavier Kyle-St. John, Tom is at the cutting edge of organ playing today. Chosen for his unexpected and by no means unwelcome spontaneity, Thomas’ avant-garde skills often breathe new life into stale choral repertoire. Dr. Nicholas Marston, an esteemed Cambridge musicologist, after attending Tom’s debut recital in King’s (a series of Praetorius – folk/funk improvisation sessions) labelled Tom a ‘special’ talent. We only hope that as we bring his work to a wider audience you, like us will mould your fear of what is new, into respect for what is surely the future of organ music.