The Choirboys
The original Choirboys line-up consisted of Ben Inman, Patrick Aspbury and CJ Porter-Thaw, they were the result of a nation-wide search undertaken by Steve Abbott, Mark Wilkinson and Dickon Stainer from Universal Classics and Jazz in 2005.
Originally they were looking for just one choirboy but could not decide between the final three boys, individually they were brilliant and each one bought something different to the group.
The Choirboys album was released in Autumn 2005, it was a mixture of traditional choral music mixed with TV themes and pop classics. It sold over 100,000 copies in the first week of release, and went on to hit platinum with worldwide sales of 400,000 copies.
The album was number one in the classical charts and a top 10 pop hit. The boys continued to sing on TV and even toured Japan.
In 2007, the search began again, following the same process of elimination. This time two of the boys, William Dutton and Andrew Swait, were spotted at Westminster Abbey, singing for Radio 2’s Young Chorister of the year competition which William went on to win.
The two then joined forces with Bill Goss to form the new line up and went on to record the Carols Album at Metropolis studios with arrangements by Martin Neary, former choirmaster and music director of Westminster Abbey.
The Choirboys’ look is cool and casual, mixing Gap combats with Italian designer suits. They resemble a mini-Busted and have a great deal of energy, wit and charisma.
The Carols Album was released on 3rd December 2007 and reached number 7 in the classical charts
Although their time in the spotlight as one of the Choirboys is limited, there is always scope to use the same formula again to give three new boys a chance to record an album with Universal records.
“We have come back with the Choirboys brand intact and revitalised” says Mark Wilkinson. “There is no reason why we can’t visit it again in the future when we can give another three choirboys the opportunity to capture in 21st century sound a musical moment in time that can never be repeated.”