The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace

The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace, has been a vibrant part of England's musical and spiritual scene for nearly 500 years, singing in one of the country's most stunning historic chapels—complete with that jaw-dropping vaulted ceiling installed by Henry VIII in the 1530s. Kicking off in 1537 to celebrate the baptism of Edward, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, the choir's roots run deep in the Anglican tradition, with legends like Thomas Tallis (a Gentleman from 1542), William Byrd, and Henry Purcell all leaving their mark here through compositions and performances that shaped English church music.

Today, it's a lively mix of up to 18 boy choristers (ages 7-13 from local schools) and six professional Gentlemen singers, led by Director of Music Carl Jackson since 1996, belting out everything from 16th-century gems to fresh works by living composers like James MacMillan. They handle services on Sundays and holy days year-round, host cool outreach like Songstars in local schools, and release albums featuring Tudor faves such as Gibbons, Tomkins, and Purcell—keeping that royal heritage alive with scholarships and open days for eager young voices.

Genres

Choral

Folk

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Traditional Music

Baroque

Renaissance

Religious

Sacred

Liturgical

Latest Release

Gibbons at the Chapel Royal

Orlando Gibbons•

The Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace•

The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble•

Carl Jackson

Album - 19 Tracks - Released November 21, 2025