Jonathan Howard

I’ve always been more of a dreamer than a pragmatist. My time at school (initially at the German School in London, and then at Christ’s Hospital, an extraordinary charitable foundation in West Sussex where my parents taught and we therefore lived) was defined by its business: more subjects than were necessary, more instruments than were sustainable; and more activities than could be squeezed into any normal tinetable. University was no better. As a Classics undergraduate at New College in Oxford University, I was famous for my inability to say no to anything, no matter how many late nights or early starts that meant There were hundreds of non-compulsory hours in plays, in musicals, playing sports, in societies, in clubs and in pubs (what else would you expect from an English university). So how have things changed, now that I’m 30 and well into my eighth season as a King’s Singer? (Let’s not forget my intervening year in advertising, by the way.) I’m still disastrously bad at saying no. Nights at home or on the road are rarely free. Lie-ins are even rarer. I’m always busy, conjuring up new ideas about what we can do to spread the joy of music, and to celebrate how diverse and exciting our cultural landscape is today. What’s new” I’m more relentless than ever in my sear:h for new luggage, new sunglasses, and new shoes. I’m evangelical about cryptic crosswords, spin classes and poke (it’s Hawaiian – Google it). I have an encyclopaedic knowledge of flight timetables, and I’ve recently developed a love for backgammon. I row live just off Brick Lane in Shoreditch in East London, and I couldn’t be happier (although I wouldn’t say no to a loft in New York or a house overlooking the Pacific in Malibu). And even though I spend most of my life on the road, I’m still obsessed with travel and seeing as much of the world as possible. It’s such a blessing to have a job that takes me everywhere. I am certain that there ‘s never been a more exciting time to be one of The King’s Singer, as the group celebrates its 50th anniversary and tours the globe – and I feel so privileged to be part of shaping our future.