Stephen Barton (Composer and former Chorister), Gordy Haab and the Winchester Cathedral Choristers have won a Grammy Award for the Best Soundtrack for Video Games and other Interactive Media. Accepting this prestigious award, Stephen said, “A special moment for me on this, was [that] we had the Choristers from The Pilgrims’ School in Winchester come and record on this. It reminded me about music teachers being the most important thing, so I dedicate this to mine.”

Stephen shared on X, formerly known as twitter, “So proud of the boys and the big part they played in some of the most emotional and wonderful moments in the game! Congrats to you all and Andy, you are #Grammy winners!!!“

Back in 2022, Stephen commissioned the Choristers for an exciting secret mission at Abbey Road Studios in London. The Choristers, who sing with the Winchester Cathedral Choir and are educated at The Pilgrims’ School, can be heard on the soundtrack for the new video game, 'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor'.

Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, Andrew Lumsden, said of the Choristers’ achievement, “This is fantastic news for all of us at the Cathedral and The Pilgrims’ School but particularly for the Choristers. They are thrilled to have won the award and are over the moon with excitement. It is also very exciting that we have similar projects already in the pipeline.”

Stephen and the Choristers equally enjoyed the experience with Stephen saying; “It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to have the Choristers join the very small number of musicians who have recorded official music for the Star Wars musical universe! They were, as always, consummate professionals, effortlessly taking to the world of studio soundtrack recording, click tracks, and some very difficult music to learn and record extremely fast. 

The music they recorded that day has been heard by tens of millions of people already, and we have heard players describe their moments as “breathtakingly beautiful” and “spellbinding”. For me, it was just a joy to be able to come full circle, and it absolutely reminded me that most of the skills I use daily as a professional musician came from being in the choir and at Pilgrims’, and that the choir is world-class, as ever. On behalf of myself, Gordy Haab, Respawn, EA and Disney, huge thanks to them and the staff; we are all very proud of their work!”

Former Winchester Cathedral Chorister, news broadcaster, Jon Snow, described his experience as a Chorister; “I feel it was the best start any child could ever have. I think to be steeped in music from the age of 7 onwards is absolutely magical, like treading on the outskirts of heaven.” 

Watch, listen and read fantastic coverage of this Grammy Award win

• ITV Meridian news
• BBC news
• Hampshire Chronicle
• Daily Echo
• BBC Radio Solent - BBC Sounds
• BNN