THE King’s church choir makes an unholy din, a damning report claims.
There was “no knowledge of music or singing technique” at practice sessions and it needed to “aspire to higher standards” to sing for royalty, an 18-month investigation concluded.
The claims have added to turmoil at Sandringham’s 500-year-old St Mary Magdalene Church, where the Royal Family gather for a Christmas Day service.
The 16-page report, seen by The Sun, was commissioned by the King’s chaplain, the Rev Paul Williams, amid a dispute with the choir’s director of music, Dr Claire Stewart.
It highlights a “limited repertoire” and suggests setting out a “musical vision” for the volunteer choir with leadership based on “outstanding skill set, dynamic risk-taking, motivation and aspiration”.
The inquiry was carried out by Tansy Castledine, director of music at Peterborough Cathedral
Despite the criticisms, she said the choir was enthusiastic and “extremely dedicated”.
But one parishioner said: “The report is a hatchet job filled with corporate jargon.
“This is a Norfolk village church — not Westminster Abbey.”
Others have rallied around Dr Stewart, currently on sick leave.
The Sun previously revealed King Charles was made aware of the church row and had been asked to intervene.
The Diocese of Norwich has been approached for comment.