Join the Choir
Could your son or daughter be one of our choristers?
Every year places are available for boys and girls to become Choristers in Winchester Cathedral's famous choirs.
CHORISTERSHIPS
The choirs of Winchester Cathedral are a fundamental part of the daily worship which has been offered to the glory of God in this historic place for over 1000 years. Our Choristers have a vital role in continuing the glorious heritage of English church music, a national treasure which is the envy of the world. They are also involved in a wide range of national and international concerts, recordings and broadcasts.
Choristers benefit from possibly the finest musical education that a child can have. They receive choral training at an exceptionally high standard and individual singing lessons from a teacher recognised to be at the head of vocal work for boys and girls in the country.
Forthcoming Auditions & Open Days
The next main audition day for boy choristers will in November 2009 for the following September.
The next Girl Chorister Auditions will be taking place in February 2010 for entry the following September.
Please note that applications for the choir can be made at any time. The Music Department and The Pilgrims' School are glad to meet with any prospective choristers and their parents throughout the year to discuss possibilities for entry.
Please contact: Sue Armstrong in the music department on 01962 857219; sue.armstrong@winchester-cathedral.org.uk or Ali Dugdale at Pilgrims' School (boys only) on 01962 854189; registrations@pilgrims-school.co.uk for further information.
Boy Choristers
Boy Choristers sing an average of six services a week during choir term time. They are educated to the highest standards at The Pilgrims’ School, where they are all boarders. On joining the choir they are awarded a Choral Scholarship, worth 40% of the full boarding fees, and other bursaries are available. For the first year, they will be probationers, ensuring that they have the necessary musical foundation to succeed. Boy Choristers are accepted for Voice Auditions if they are over 7 ˝ and under 10 years of age. They will leave at the age of 13, when by far the majority gain scholarships or exhibitions at their next school.
Girl Choristers
The Girl Choristers usually sing one Sunday service each week during choir term time. They rehearse on Wednesday and Friday and attend schools in the Winchester area. Girl Choristers join the choir at age 12 and will normally leave at 17.
Please don’t think that it’s too difficult for your child to become a chorister: we’re looking for potential…
The Audition
A short prepared piece (which does not have to be complicated, even a hymn will do.
Ear tests - singing single notes, groups of notes or intervals;
• singing each note of a chord containing one or two notes
• singing a short phrase after it has been played twice on the piano
• tapping or clapping a short rhythmic pattern after it has been played twice on the piano.
Singing scales and arpeggios or other vocal exercises to indicate the range and quality of the voice.
Reading text, e.g. a short passage from a psalm.
Academic entrance tests, details of which are available direct from The Pilgrims’ School, address above (for boys only)
This is the normal format of the audition, but please do not be concerned if your child has no experience of one or more of the musical tests. We are happy to answer any of your queries and will certainly be able to help with advice and support throughout the application procedure.
Links
A list of who's who in the music department
This month's services
Visit the online music shop