Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince Soundtrack

The Choir of The Queen’s College played a key role in the Warner Brothers film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth film in the series based on the novels by J. K. Rowling. 

BAFTA-winning composer Nicholas Hooper, who composed the music, approached the Choir of The Queen’s College late in 2007 regarding the possibility of recording music for the film. 

After working on the piece with Nick Hooper in Oxford, the choir went to record at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London, spending a morning in Studio One, the world’s largest purpose-built recording studio. The piece, which the choir recorded, is the ‘simple but highly evocative’ song, In noctem.

Organist Professor Owen Rees, who directs the choir, said:

‘It was fascinating to work with the composer Nick Hooper on the recording of this song at Abbey Road.'

The choir is in good company as Studio One has seen renowned orchestral and choral recordings made there, as well as the music for several well-known films such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. 

Georgina Watts, a second year choral scholar, said:

‘Recording at Abbey Road is just one of the amazing opportunities that I have been offered as a member of the Queen's College Chapel Choir.'

The song can be heard at various points in the film, during the closing credits, and on the soundtrack CD of the film. The soundtrack, featuring the choir, went on to receive a Grammy nomination, and to win the Classic FM Film Music of the Year Award. Click the play button below to listen to the recording.

The Choir of The Queen’s College are hugely proud to have been involved in this project, and delighted with the accolades that it has received. For more information about the choir or its involvement please contact the organist, Professor Owen Rees.