King’s choral tradition

SIR – The announcement that Daniel Hyde is to become the next Director of Music at King’s College, Cambridge (report, May 30), together with his preference for open-throated singing, fill me with apprehension.

Open-throated singing, so beloved by pop singers, is in my opinion an ugly non-musical sound, completely unsuited to the English cathedral style of singing. For years, I and many others have looked forward to hearing the unmistakable pure sound of King’s College choir in broadcasts and recordings, of which the late Sir David Willcocks and, currently, Stephen Cleobury have been the guardians.

I hope Mr Hyde’s intention to let the building tell him how the choir is meant to sound will ensure the continuation of this treasure of choral singing. Keith Parsons

Knowle, Warwickshire