How Crouch End Festival Chorus helped Doctor Who regenerate

nlnews@archant.co.uk
07 January 2010

THE choir heard during the demise of Crouch Ender David Tennant's reign as Doctor Who have themselves regenerated - to record for his replacement, Matt Smith.

The Crouch End Festival Chorus accompanied the eclipse of Mr Tennant's four-year stint as The Doctor, which ended in front of 10 million viewers on New Year's Day. It will continue as the choir of choice for backing music in the BBC's long-running hit show.

The group, led by musical director David Temple, has been heard in every series since it was resurrected in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor - the choir of choice for composer Murray Gold.

Just before Christmas the choir returned to Air Studios in Hampstead to record for the forthcoming series featuring Matt Smith.

The choir's spokesman Duncan McAlpine, a lifelong Doctor Who fan, said: "We actually sang the soundtrack for both episodes on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

"The one that was the most moving was singing the death sequence and regeneration sequence; we were watching the images while we were singing, then sworn to secrecy not to reveal how the regeneration happens. We did it in one take.

"It was good to see and hear how much the choir came through. I think it really added to the sadness of the moment."

He said many singers who had never seen Doctor Who before became fans through the recording process, adding: "We are the Doctor Who choir of choice now. It is quite a good anecdote for dinner parties!"

The choir continues its high-profile run of engagements with a concert in the Barbican this Sunday singing Haydn's Creation to raise funds for The Art Room, which provides art facilities and teaching for children who have difficulties in mainstream education.