Toby Barnett

Tenor Section Leader

Growing up in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Toby was first introduced to choral music upon starting his choral scholarship at Gonville & Caius College at the University of Cambridge, in 2021. Despite reading mathematics, he instantly fell in love with this new-found world, and has now set his heart on a career making music professionally. During his time in Cambridge, Toby sung as both a baritone and a tenor, performing also with the choirs of Pembroke, Sidney Sussex, Clare, St John's, and, most notably, King's College. He has also performed with The Gents of St John's and The King's Men, and is a founding member of Lady Clare's Consort, a Cambridge-based vocal ensemble. As a soloist, Toby has performed the baritone solos in Fauré's Requiem, with orchestra and chorus in Trinity College, Cambridge, and more recently has appeared as a baritone soloist with Peterborough Choral Society, performing programmes including Saint-Saen's Christmas Oratorio, and Goodall's Eternal Light: A Requiem. He has also performed a selection of solo recitals, with a particular interest in English song.

Having recently started a new job with the NHS in South West London, Toby is now looking to explore the professional choral scene in the capital, and is excited to have been offered a tenor choral scholarship at St Martin's in the Fields, commencing in September 2026. 

Toby first sung under Tim Brown with The Choir of Clare College in 2025, and, having worked with Tim on a number of projects since, performing in venues from Ipswich Town Hall to Westminster Abbey(!), he is excited to be singing under his baton once more in the beautiful setting of Berwang. He's also delighted to have the opportunity to assist with the leading of rehearsals, and can't wait to meet the rest of the chorus for 2026!