Eton College is an all-boys boarding school founded in 1440 by King Henry VI in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the same time he founded its sister college, King’s College Cambridge, and gave each its chapel in magnificent Perpendicular style. The Foundation of Eton College provided 10 men and 16 boys to sing the services, and, with a few breaks, the choir has been singing in Eton College Chapel from then until the present day. The school now has over 1300 pupils accommodated in 25 boarding houses. The choir is 53 strong, all boys in the school, about a third of whom were choristers at cathedrals or chapels before they came to Eton. The choral tradition is maintained by the regular singing of evensongs and school services throughout the term time. Music Scholarships are offered annually to enable talented boys to continue their secondary education at Eton, and many Music Scholars are members of the Choir.

In September 2012 Tim Johnson was appointed Precentor and Director of Music at Eton College. Highlights of his first three years directing the College Chapel Choir at Eton have included a recording of Duruflé’s Requiem, and concert tours of China, Japan and India. The choir recently worked with David Starkey on his BBC series, ‘Music and Monarchy’.