Download - Joining the Cathedral Choir
Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB
0121 262 1840 birminghamcathedral.com
Joining the
Cathedral Choir
Girl Choristers
THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR
The Cathedral Girls Choir is made up of around 22 girls aged between Year 6
and Year 13 and up to two Choral Scholars (normally university or
Conservatoire students).
Practices and services take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and on
most Sundays (morning or afternoon) in term-time.
The girls sing regularly with the Lower Voices (adults) of the Cathedral Choir
for services and concerts. All choir members socially distance at all times, they
are not a bubble. They sing from individual packs of music and the librarians use
hand sanitiser regularly while assembling these.
Girl Choristers receive a bursary increasing progressively to £500 per year. All
girls receive free music theory training up to Grade 5 and free singing lessons.
Choristers are trained to be proficient and confident musicians, and to perform
to a professional standard – several choristers have gained Oxbridge and other
choral scholarships.
Choristers are still able to take a full part in all aspects of school life with choir
holidays and half terms coinciding with school holidays as much as possible.
Outings, picnics and social events are organised on a regular basis, although
these are suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.
At audition the girls are asked to sing a simple hymn or carol of their choice and
participate in some straightforward ear tests. They should be fluent readers with
good concentration. Successful girls will begin with a trial period as a
probationer. During 2020-21, auditions will be on Sunday afternoon and evening
on Zoom.
I would be delighted to hear from you by email at
[email protected] or by telephone
0121 262 1840.
Mr David Hardie
Head of Music
For me, the choir has been a journey of exciting
opportunities. I’ve acquired invaluable skills in
musicianship, confidence and teamwork, gaining
lifelong friends along the way.
”
“
Joining Birmingham Cathedral
Choir has been one of the best
decisions I ever made. It has
taught me so much about
music and has been key in
developing my confidence. It’s
great being part of such an
amazing choir, with amazing
people who have become my
second family.
”
“ In recent years the choir has sung:
• On BBC Radio 3 (Choral Evensong)
• In concert with world famous musicians
such as Thomas Trotter
• In recording with Black Sabbath guitarist
Tony Iommi
• With professional orchestras in Handel’s
Messiah and Bach’s St Matthew Passion
• In performance with the Birmingham Royal
Ballet
• With Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull
• In St Paul’s Cathedral and many other
English cathedrals
• In Notre Dame in Paris and the
Thomaskirche in Leipzig