King’s Barbers release their debut album just in time for Christmas

King's Ely’s award-winning boys’ a cappella group – the King’s Barbers – have recorded and released their first commercial CD.

The Barbers, who were crowned National Youth a Cappella Champions last year, headed to the world-famous Decoy Studios to record their album, which features all of the group’s favourites, including ‘Isn’t she lovely?’, ‘Viva la Vida’ and ‘Pompeii/Some Nights’.

The CD is priced at £10 and all profits will go to the Barbers’ linked charity, the Bethesda Life Centre boys’ orphanage in Goa, where they visited during their tour to India earlier this year.

The Bethesda Life Centre charity was founded 13 years ago and continues to transform the lives of hundreds of women and children each year by providing residential care homes to children who need protection, help for AIDS victims in the form of medicines, clothing and food, and equipping children who have learning difficulties in the charity’s special school.

The charity also works to facilitate self-reliance among women in distress by teaching them new skills, facilitate self-reliance among HIV-affected men and women by giving interest-free micro-loans, and prevent child trafficking through education and life-transformation.

Members of the Barbers are all former cathedral or college choir choristers and they sing everything from timeless classics to contemporary a cappella songs. The group was founded by Peter North, who is Head of Vocal Studies at King's Ely Senior, almost thirty years ago, not only to keep boys singing through the voice-change, but also to introduce them to different performance styles. Former members have sung in some of the most important and successful groups in the a cappella scene, including All the King’s Men and Out of the Blue.

The CDs are available to purchase now from the Main Reception at King’s Ely Senior in Barton Road, Ely – but hurry as they are selling fast! Copies can also be ordered by emailing Peter North at peternorth@kingsely.org.

The Barbers’ new teaser track, ‘Every time I feel the spirit’, is also available to listen to on all major platforms. To listen to it on Apple Music Preview, go to: https://apple.co/34s8CVn

To discover more about the group, search for ‘King’s Barbers Ely’ on Facebook and Twitter. To find out more about the Bethesda Life Centre charity, including how you can help, visit: www.blcgoa.org