Founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, King’s College, Cambridge is part of one of the world’s leading universities. It is known internationally for its chapel, choir and its outstanding alumni in the classical world and further afield.

King’s College’s contribution to classical music is diverse. Although best known for choral and organ music, the College’s academic reputation in music is renowned. It also has links with many of the UK’s finest orchestras, and is responsible for educating some of the world’s top musical directors and conductors. King’s is the birthplace of the most famous internationally-performing close harmony group, the King’s Singers.

The College’s curated playlists will explore the history of the iconic English institution through music, offering playlists that delve into specific genres, selections of music perfectly suited to studying, and offerings to accompany major festivals throughout the liturgical year. All will be curated either by current students or notable alumni from across the music and academic worlds.

Exclusive highlights at launch include Christmas from King’s , which draws from the Choir’s new album100 Years of Nine Lessons & Carols, and an Introduction to Choral curated by leading British composer Bob Chilcott. The College’s curator channel will also be home to a specially-recorded ‘tourguide’ playlist about King’s itself, for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the College each year, including those who attend the annual festival of Nine Lessons & Carols service on Christmas Eve. This playlist tour will combine spoken word with recordings, and culminates at the famous memorial stone to the Chinese poet Xu Zhimo, accompanied by a new setting of his iconic poem Second Farewell to Cambridge by the British composer John Rutter, released today as a single and music video and available only on Apple Music.

Stephen Cleobury, Director of Music at King’s, said, “King’s College has an immense history of creating, nurturing and studying music over many centuries, and I am delighted that King’s will be able to make a contribution to the musical experience of millions through its new curator role with Apple Music.”

King’s College, Cambridge will launch as an Apple Music curator on Friday 2 November, ahead of the forthcoming album celebrating 100 Years of Nine Lessons & Carols, which will be released on 9 November. Pre-add 100 Years of Nine Lessons & Carols now, and once it’s released the entire album will be available instantly in your Apple Music library.

Apple Music subscribers can find the College’s curator page by searching King’s College, Cambridge, or by visiting www.applemusic.com/kings .

John Rutter’s new setting of Xu Zhimo’s Second Farewell to Cambridge will be available exclusively on Apple Music as part of the launch, and available as a single and music video.