Royal wedding music includes choirs, fanfare

[March 16, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Royal officials Tuesday named the two choirs, orchestra and military fanfare team that will provide the music for the April 29 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

William's office at St. James's Palace said the ceremony will feature the choir of Westminster Abbey, the Chapel Royal Choir, the London Chamber Orchestra and a fanfare team from the Royal Air Force band.

The palace said that William and his fiancee "have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service," which will include well-known hymns and choral works as well as pieces commissioned especially for the occasion.

The couple and William's father, Prince Charles, recently made an unannounced evening visit to Westminster Abbey to hear live musical performances as part of the preparation process.

Guests at a Buckingham Palace reception to be hosted by Queen Elizabeth II after the wedding will be soothed by the strains of Claire Jones, Prince Charles' official harpist, the palace said.

The choirs will be directed by James O'Donnell, organist and master of the choir at Westminster Abbey.

The Westminster Abbey choir consists of 20 boys and 12 professional adult singers, known as Lay Vicars. The choir sings the daily choral services in the Abbey and often sings at major national events at the Abbey.

Officials said Robert Quinney will play the organ.

The Chapel Royal Choir dates back at least to the era of the Norman Conquest, officials said. Its primary roles are to sing the weekly service in the Chapel Royal at St. James' Palace and to perform for the royal family on special occasions.

The schedule calls for the London Chamber Orchestra to be conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, its music director. It will consist of 39 musicians placed in the organ loft of the Abbey.

The orchestra was founded in 1921 by Anthony Bernard.

No announcement has been made yet about the live entertainment at an evening reception at the palace to be hosted by Prince Charles for close friends of William and his bride.

[Associated Press; By GREGORY KATZ]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.