Founded in the 15th century, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge has long been renowned as a unique representative of the Anglican church music tradition and recognised for its very special sound. Its music directors have been famously long-lived – Boris Ord (1929-1957) and Sir David Willcocks (1957-1973) to name but two – and since 1982, the choir has been led by the indefatigable Stephen Cleobury.

Choir of King’s College Cambridge. Photo supplied by Musica Viva

In May 2018, it was announced that Daniel Hyde would become the Choir’s new Director of Music in October 2019 following Cleobury’s planned retirement this September, and its latest Australian tour for Musica Viva was to have been Cleobury’s last after 37 years at the helm. However, due to illness, Hyde is stepping in ahead of schedule to lead the nine-date tour that will take in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Limelight caught up with Hyde, who enjoys a long-time association with King’s, to talk about growing up in the British choral tradition, his hopes for the future, and filling Cleobury’s sizeable shoes.

You grew up in the Anglican choral tradition. As a boy, how did you...