Choristership at Peterborough Cathedral

The music at Peterborough Cathedral is part of a living tradition stretching back 900 years.  Becoming a chorister here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which hundreds of boys in this city have treasured.  Could your son become a chorister here?  This page seeks to answer a number of frequently asked questions.

Who can become a chorister?

We are looking for boys currently in school year 3 who can sing in tune, enjoy singing, have a bright and positive attitude, and are capable of sustaining a commitment to the choir.  In each year group we are normally looking for four boys to start in September of year 4.  Auditions are next being held on Saturday 2 December 2006.

Does my son have to board?

All the choristers in the Cathedral Choir are day pupils.  While this means a regular commitment for parents bringing boys to the Cathedral before school and collecting them in the early evening, it does have the benefit that all the choristers live at home with their families. 

What about my son’s education?

All the choristers attend Peterborough High School, an independent day school, between the ages of 8 and 11.  Parents pay only around 40% of school fees for those three years.  Subject to satisfactory progress and continued membership of the choir, choristers then attend The King’s School, Peterborough at 11, and remain there after their voices have broken.  Further trust funds are available in cases of hardship to ensure that no boy loses his place in the choir through lack of funds.  Cathedral Choir duties rarely occur during school hours, and both schools educate the choristers to a high standard.

How do Cathedral duties fit in with school commitments?

Choristers rehearse at 8 am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for 40 minutes and are then taken by minibus to school.  They return by minibus after school, have a break, toast and a drink, then rehearse and sing Evensong at 5.30 pm.  They are collected by their parents at about 6.10 pm.  In most weeks they tend to have Wednesday and Saturday free from choir duties, and sing two services on a Sunday.  The boys tend not to sing during King’s School holidays except for the periods leading up to Christmas Day and Easter Day which are obviously important times in the life of the Cathedral.

What musical training is provided?

Boys start their time in the choir as probationers, learning to be choristers.  They are given specialist training in small groups to help equip them in music theory and practice.  Each boy receives singing lessons from a vocal specialist.  When they become choristers they are taught a wide repertoire of music from across several centuries and equipped with the skills to perform it to a professional standard.  Being a chorister is probably the only occupation in which a child can work alongside adults at a professional level, and it gives boys an insight into achieving musical excellence.

How else might my son benefit from being a chorister?

As well as the obvious musical and educational benefits boys who become choristers learn many life skills including self-discipline, a sense of responsibility and teamwork.  They develop sensitivity to heritage and tradition and through their singing become part of the Christian witness of Peterborough Cathedral in the city and beyond.  People in all walks of life have benefited from being a chorister between the ages of 8 and 13 including famous politicians, businessmen, newspaper editors and many others.

Are there other activities as well as the daily services?

The Cathedral Choir undertakes concerts, tours, broadcasts and recordings.  Recently the Choir toured the Netherlands in July 2006.  The choristers sing at major civic occasions such as the Remembrance Sunday service, and in front of thousands of people at the big Advent, Christmas and Easter services.  They regularly go ten-pin bowling and have an annual Christmas party.  Parents and choristers also get together for social events through the year. 

When are the auditions, and what do they involve?

The main auditions each year are held around November (this year on Saturday 2 December), though we are happy to hear potential candidates at other times subject to the availability of places in the Choir.  We hear each boy sing a piece of his own choice, which can be something as simple as a hymn or short song.  We assess vocal quality and range by asking boys to sing simple scales and other musical exercises.  Aural tests are an important component of the audition: we ask them to sing back single, unrelated notes played on the piano, reproduce the top, middle and lower notes of chords, sing back a simple melody and clap a rhythm.  We ask each boy to read a passage of text to determine speed and accuracy of reading.  We are looking for alertness, attention, enthusiasm, and musical potential rather than a finished product.  Some preparation of the own choice piece and aural tests would be valuable, but many boys who apply successfully have had no singing lessons and have perhaps just sung in a school or church choir for a short period.

How can I ask further questions about my son joining the choir?

You can phone us at any time to ask questions:

Tel: 01733 355319

e-mail: music@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

Post: Director of Music, Chapter Office, 12A Minster Precincts, Peterborough. PE1 1XS

We are very happy to meet boys who may be interested in applying to become choristers, together with their parents, at one of our 5.30 pm weekday Evensongs.

How do we apply for an audition?

Simply contact us by phone, post or e-mail and we will send you an application form.   

Andrew Reid  Director of Music