We believe the Chapel Choir is unique amongst independent day schools. Choristers perform what is essentially a cathedral repertoire. Admission is by audition, with voice trials held every September, although the Director of Music may assess individuals at other time of year as well.
A high musical standard is expected and maintained in the Chapel Choir and yet the commitment is not unreasonable – one or two short before School rehearsals, one lunchtime rehearsal and one after School rehearsal each week and attendance at most Sunday services (one a week during term time) is expected. At busy times extra rehearsals may be arranged but this is rare.
The only requirement for a place in the Chapel Choir is a promising voice and a sense of enthusiasm and commitment. Further details may be had from the Director of Music, who is pleased to answer queries regarding Chapel Choir membership. Various recordings of the Choir are also available on the Music YouTube channel, where you will also find livestreams of upcoming Sunday services.
Choirs
In recent years, summer cathedral residencies have included Blackburn, Chester, Exeter, Chichester, Truro, Salisbury, Wells, and Bristol Cathedrals, York Minster, and Sherborne Abbey. These are “working holidays” during which we sing the daily offices in the cathedral or Minster, and go out on excursions, sight-seeing and recreational activities. Since 1991 we have alternated these cathedral weeks with tours abroad, which now are open to all musicians. Over the last decade, the choir has sung in prestigious venues such as St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Padua Cathedral, Barcelona, Girona Cathedral, and Montserrat Abbey.
Singing for occasional weddings is also a popular and lucrative activity. It’s all hard work but plenty of fun! Other activities are social and include the Christmas Party and the more formal Choir Dinner which is hosted by the Headmaster especially for the choristers. All this helps to cement the strong social life and “family atmosphere” within the Choir in which pupils from Prep to Sixth Form work together as musical equals.
