UK boys choir stuns with incredible rendition of Carol of the Bells

There are some Christmas carols that fill you with emotion every time you hear them and for many people Mykola Leontovych’s ‘Carol of the Bells’ is one of them.

The haunting song was composed by Leontovych in 1919 and is based on the Ukrainian folk chant ‘Shchedryk’. While there have been many renditions of the now-classic tune over the years, a new version by the St George’s Chapel choir has left many with spine-tingling chills.

A clip of the male-only choir singing the soaring melody was shared by the royal family on Friday and has since been viewed more than one million times.

The choir has close ties to the royal family, what with being based on the grounds of Windsor Castle, and regularly performs in the presence of the Queen and other royals.

They performed at the weddings of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May, and again at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank nuptials in October, as both weddings took place at St George’s Chapel where the choir is based.

And while they certainly caught the attention of many for their poised performance at the weddings, it’s this more intimate recording of ‘Carol of the Bells’ that has captured hearts.

Thousands of comments have flooded the royal family’s Instagram page, with many saying it gave them goose bumps.

“I could listen to these beautiful voices all day long,” one person wrote.

“The most beautiful music I have heard all year. Wish I had this on CD,” wrote another.

The choir is renowned for its prestige and, according to the royal family, has been in existence since the year 1348. With the exception of the Commonwealth period (1649-60), the choir has sung services in the Chapel continuously since the 12th century.

Only the best of the best are admitted into the group and the young choristers, aged between eight and 13, attend St George’s School.

While their sheer talent alone was enough to get them into the choir, the training process once the boys become members is rigorous and demanding. They rehearse each morning and go up to Windsor Castle after lessons to rehearse and sing the service with the Lay Clerk, professionally trained singers, who are selected by audition.

Despite its pedigree and royal ties, the choir can be enjoyed by members of the public too and sing three services on Sundays and one service every weekday except Wednesday.

Do you like ‘Carol of the Bells’? What’s your favourite Christmas carol?