From Chorister to Global Pop Star: The Musical Journey of Head Boy, John F

It has been a whirlwind few months for our Head Boy, John F. Following a thrilling journey documented in the Netflix docuseries Simon Cowell: The Next Act, our Sixth Form student has been revealed as one-seventh of the new British boyband signed to EMI/Universal, December 10.

WATCH their live studio performance of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” HERE

The group, described as “hugely fun, utterly joyful and incredibly charismatic”, was formed by music mogul Simon Cowell. For John, receiving the call to join the process in Miami was a defining moment. “It was definitely one of the best moments of my life,” John recalls. “I was with my parents when Simon called us. I just remember feeling overwhelmed in a good way like, wow this is really happening.”

From Cathedral Stalls to the Spotlight

While John is now stepping into the world of pop music, his foundations are deeply rooted in the classical tradition at King’s. He joined us in Year 4 on a Choristership which then became a Music Scholarship. He credits his time as a King’s Chorister with giving him the resilience required for the music industry. “It builds your confidence and musicality,” John explains. “Most of my understanding of music began from this stage, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if not for that.”

Mr Bawtree, Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral, remembers John’s early dedication well. “John was consistently a hardworking and dedicated chorister and one who never shied away from the considerable business of the regular rehearsing and singing routines in the choir at Rochester Cathedral. This could be for one of our smaller services or those that had over 1000 people in attendance, especially at Christmas,” he says. “He was wholly dependable, committed and good company in everything that he did.”

While the role of a Cathedral Chorister is known for its discipline, John is keen to highlight the fun and friendship that defines the experience. “The trips that we had were always exciting. I loved going to Chessington every year, it was always a fun bonding experience with all of the other choristers,” he says. He recalls the Easter services, which often involved a “ginormous feast for breakfast all together at 5am”, and Midnight Mass as personal highlights. “I loved singing Handel’s Messiah and by the end of the service it was Christmas morning. There were loads of cool experiences as a chorister and I had a lot of fun.”

Crucially, this early musical grounding prepared him for the pressure of the Netflix auditions. “It allowed me to go into autopilot,” John explains. “It was the biggest audition of my life, but because I have done so much singing in the past, I was able to go into fight or flight and I could function to the best of my abilities automatically, helping me to not feel nervous at all.”

A Versatile Musician

John’s versatility has always stood out to his teachers. Miss Roux, Music teacher, notes: “John is a versatile performer: comfortable in his passion for RnB but also in musical theatre and classical vocal repertoire. His enthusiasm for music is infectious, often drawing his peers to becoming more involved in music and performing arts at school. John has always been a strong positive role model for younger musicians around him, and his optimism and warm character has built a community of fellow musicians who are all rooting for him as he takes this next step in his musical career.”

Naturally, John is a fixture in the Music School, often found “jamming out” in the practice rooms with friends. “During GCSEs it was THE spot to hang out,” John says. “I will miss open mic nights, many of which I’ve performed at during my time in Senior School.”

This talent was also recognised externally when John won a MACA (Medway African and Caribbean Association) award for the Arts in 2023. Dr Carol Stewart, Chairperson of MACA, said: “When I heard John play the piano and sing, he reminded me of a young John Legend and I knew as soon as I heard him, he was going to go far. He has such an amazing voice and a gift for songwriting that he has to share with the world.”

Ever ambitious, John notes that he still hopes to complete his Grade 8 exams in piano, clarinet and singing because “it would feel fulfilling”.

Life on Stage and Behind the Scenes

Beyond the Cathedral, John has thrown himself into every aspect of school life. He describes the House Music competitions as a personal “highlight” at King’s: “I love being able to lead the ensemble and partake in what I’m really passionate about, so it’s always been special to me.”

His contributions extend to the drama department, where he has worked both backstage and in starring roles in King’s epic productions. “I always wanted to be involved in the drama at King’s,” says John. A favourite memory was starring in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’: “Everyone in the cast bonded perfectly. And we got to act, sing and dance on a revolving stage which was such a cool experience.”

Mr Bailey, Director of Drama, adds: “John has always been creative. He has a flair for performing that captivates audiences, whether it be acting, singing his own compositions, or performing live as a band. His example of hard work and dedication reflects his determination, both inside and outside of the classroom.”

John stresses that King’s isn’t just about the leading roles. Having spent four years in “Tec Soc” (Technical Society), he learned the ropes backstage, running lighting cues for Animal Farm and managing microphones for the Nativity. “There are loads of opportunities in every vein of the drama department,” he says. “For Oh What A Lovely War there were a lot of people who signed up to help backstage… some were working on social media for the show whilst some worked on mic running and others played in the band.”

While Music and Drama are natural favourites, subjects he describes as a “dream come true” to now study at A Level, he also has fond memories of Design Technology. “In Year 5 we made acrylic salad tongs, which I still use till this day,” he laughs. “I now have loads of things that I’ve made over the years at my house, some with practical use.”

Balancing A Levels and Life on Set

To complete his A Levels this year, John has had to master the art of balancing academic rigour with a filming schedule. He credits the support of his teachers and the use of Google Classroom for keeping him on track. “I have no idea how I manage it to be honest!” he jokes. “Most days when I’m on trips I wake up an hour or two earlier to get work done. I also communicate regularly with my teachers, which helps me a lot.”

Despite the travel, the pull of Rochester remains strong. “The sense of community is unlike any other. It feels like a family at King’s, it’s a home away from home,” he says. “That’s why when I landed back from both Miami and Nashville I willingly came into school on the same day on both occasions.”

Mr Fisher said: “We are incredibly proud of John. Watching him grow from a Chorister into such a confident and creative performer has been a privilege for the whole school community. He is a shining example of a King’s pupil. Our purpose is to support pupils as they discover their passions, and to see John take his musical talents to the global stage is inspiring. His success is a testament to his own hard work and resilience, and we are delighted to see him achieving his dreams.”

Looking Forward

December 10 is described as a boyband for our times. John, already known as the group’s mediator whose ear for harmony is unrivalled, agrees: “Groups are just more fun, and everyone is in need of fun at this moment in time where so much is happening in the world. That’s why I think we’re ready for a new boyband. I know I am. It’s about time.”

This aligns with the guidance he received from Simon Cowell himself, who told the group: “If we’re not having fun, then this shouldn’t be what we’re going into.”

As he finishes his final year at King’s, John looks back on the unique environment of the School, from the “beautiful” location next to the Cathedral and Castle to the staff who have guided him. “Every single teacher I’ve ever had has shaped me in a different way,” John says. “I’ll be eternally grateful for the impact they’ve made.”

Reflecting on the sentiment that King’s is a ‘school for life’, he adds: “It is apt, as King’s School Rochester was my life and the earth that I orbited for the longest time. It prepared me for the real world. Now real life is beginning and I feel ready.”

You can follow John on these social media platforms:
https://www.instagram.com/johndecember10/
https://www.tiktok.com/@johndecember10

John launched his first single back in 2022, just 14 years old – here is the interview he gave back then talking about his early musical influences.