The Winchester Cathedral choir has won a Grammy for the soundtrack to a Star Wars video game. 

Stephen Barton (composer and former chorister), Gordy Haab and the choristers won Best Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. 

Mr Barton 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 and add those smooth jazz chords. It reminded me about music teachers being the most important thing, so I dedicate this to mine.”

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “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, Mr Barton commissioned the choristers for a 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. 

Andrew Lumsden, director of music at Winchester Cathedral, said: “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.”

Mr Barton added: “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.”