Did you spot a familiar face whilst watching the prestigious BBC Proms this summer? Katie Masters, Class of 1983 (1976 joiner) has been a Soprano in the BBC Symphony Chorus since 1991. The BBC Symphony Chorus is one of the UK's leading choirs, performing, recording and broadcasting a distinctive range of large-scale choral music with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists.

Over her time in the choir, Katie has had the amazing opportunity to sing at fabulous venues in London such as the Barbican and the Royal Albert Hall.

This year, Katie sung in three events at the 'world's greatest classical music festival'. The first night featured a fantastic American opening with Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man and Gershwin's An American in Paris, before the BBC Symphony Chorus gave a vibrant rendition of Finzi's For St Cecilia. In August, the Chorus then continued the Proms with Rossini's huge Stabat Mater, a powerful and spiritual 10-movement statement. This energy was brought alive once more on the Last Night of the Proms with an exciting variety of music, from Elgar and a Dolly Parton tribute to Auld Lang Syne.  

Katie (right) at the First Night of the Proms

As Katie comments "We get to sing a great variety of music in the BBC Symphony Chorus, from the great standard repertoire like the Verdi Requiem and Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, to contemporary classical music and new commissions, which can be quite challenging! We've also had some more unexpected highlights, such as performing in Not the Messiah, the oratorio version of Monty Python's Life of Brian, at the Royal Albert Hall, which included singing the Lumberjack Song with Michael Palin and Always look on the Bright Side of Life with Eric Idle – and a troop of bagpipers! The 2025 Last Night of the Proms, when we sang in Bohemian Rhapsody with Brian May and Roger Taylor was also a fabulous night!

We are re-auditioned every three years – however long you've been in the choir, it never gets any less nerve-wracking! But I've made some great friendships through the choir, so seeing friends, as well as the wonderful musicians we get to work with, make it all worthwhile."

Katie joined Latymer in 1976 and, throughout her time here, took part in a range of music extra-curricular activities, going on the music tours to Austria and Germany. As well as this, she was a House Secretary for Wyatt in 1982-1983. 

"Some of the musical events most stand out in my memory, including performing in Richard Rodney Bennett's All the King's Men (a musical drama for children set during the English Civil War), singing Carmina Burana both at school and in the Enfield Borough Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, the Madrigal Group competing in the BBC Radio Let the Peoples Sing competition, and the annual Carol Service at All Saints' Church. Singing alto in the school choir was such valuable musical training and experience. I also enjoyed playing in the school orchestra (although I wasn't a very good violinist!). I was lucky to have a great group of immediate friends in my year, with whom I'm still in regular contact.

Katie (top left) and her friends at the 2016 reunion - sitting in the choir seats near the organ in the Great Hall, where they used to sit for morning Assembly every day.

After Latymer, Katie went on to study Music at the University of Reading before going on to work for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) where, in various roles, she has been ever since. Throughout her career, music has been a way for Katie to travel the globe.

Recently, Katie has been a member of Gloriana, a London-based Women's choir which perform distinguished female vocal repertoire across the country. Since its formation in 2016 by Deborah Miles-Johnson, they have sung for Classic FM, at the Cabinet Office, at the 350^th anniversary of the Greenwich Royal Observatory and much more. In 2024, Gloriana had their first tour abroad to Belgium, giving concerts in Bruges and Ghent, followed in 2025 by a well-received tour of churches in Northumberland. You can catch them this November in Central London for two brilliant concerts!  

Outside choirs, Katie has been a member of Southgate Opera for many years, and performed in the chorus of Carmen this summer with them. Founded in 1964, they are one of the premier amateur opera companies in London, featuring fully-staged productions run by volunteers. Two other former Latymerians are also currently in the company!

Katie has been at a number of school reunions since her time here, but it was especially lovely to see her and friends back at the school in July 2026 for the 50^th reunion of 1976 joiners.  

 We'd like to give a massive congratulations to Katie and we can't wait to see where her musical journey will take her next! 

You can watch the Last night of proms  on the BBC Iplayer website  
Other links are Gloriana and the Southgate Opera.

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