View by department or faculty
A big group of people dressed in period clothing stood on steps

Royal College of Music students and alumni feature in major new film The Choral

Friday 12 December 2025

A heart-warming and poignant film about the power of music, The Choral features a host of musicians from the Royal College of Music. 

Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, the film is set during the First World War and tells the story of a local choral society as it recruits new members for a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Royal College of Music students Tia Jordan Radix-Callixte and Hugo Brady provide the voices for the two main soloists throughout the film, voicing the characters of Mary and Clyde. RCM student Alexandra Cooper and alumna Lori Grainger also feature as members of the choral society on-screen and sing in extracts of The Dream of Gerontius played throughout the film. 

[image1]

Conductor and RCM Opera Studio teacher Natalie Murray Beale coached BAFTA award-winning actor Ralph Fiennes for his role as the choral society’s new chorusmaster. Natalie previously coached actress Cate Blanchett for her role in Tár. RCM visiting professor in Composition for Screen, award-winning composer George Fenton also composed the film’s score. 

Natalie Murray Beale commented: ‘For any musician to work on a film with music at its heart is a special privilege, and it was a great joy to work closely with the phenomenal Ralph Fiennes as his coach, and with Nick Hytner and George Fenton, as a Music Director on The Choral. I was also very proud to witness the beautiful work of Royal College of Music singers Hugo Brady and Tia Radix-Callixte in the recording studio.’ 

Hugo Brady reflected: ‘It's very exciting to see the products of some recordings that I did a year and a half ago, on the big screen, holding the same dramatic space as some acting legends.’ 

Tia Radix-Callixte shared: ‘Voice dubbing the role of Mary was an incredible creative opportunity. I’m grateful to have contributed to such a wonderful and heartwarming production.’ 

Find out more about studying in the Royal College of Music Vocal & Opera Faculty where students receive tailored training designed to nurture exceptional young singers and prepare them for successful performing careers.