Paul Phoenix rising

St. Paul, Minn. — He's been the celebrated tenor of the King's Singers since 1997, and his life with the group has been a whirlwind of tours to the finest concert halls, churches, and cathedrals in the world.

But Paul Phoenix is easy-going about his stressful life and has squeezed in a couple of days to work with the University of Minnesota Men's Chorus as well as present a talk on how a performing musician can successfully engage a diverse audience and community.

This is something the King's Singers are experts at doing. With a British wit and entertaining arrangements - plus spot on blend, harmony and timing - the King's Singers have awed audiences as diverse as classical aficionados to those in the pop world.

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Paul Phoenix stopped by the MPR studios for a live on-air chat and co-hosting with me. We listened to three pieces - two by former King's Singer member Bob Chilcott, an arrangement of "A Gift to be a Simple" and "Swimming over London" from their newest disc, as well as Patricia Van Ness' otherworldly "My Heart is Holy Place."