The Cathedral Choir
The stones of Peterborough Cathedral have born witness to the worship of God at this site for many centuries.
The stones of Peterborough Cathedral have born witness to the worship of God at this site for many centuries.
The current choral foundation at Peterborough consists of twenty boy choristers, twenty girl choristers and six lay clerks, together with four assistant lay clerks and two supernumerary singers who attend at weekends.
The boy and girl choristers sing at different services in the week together with the lay clerks, and occasionally join forces for the larger services of the year (please click here for the Choral Rota).
Until fairly recently the Cathedral Choir was all-male, but in 1997 the benefits and opportunities of being a cathedral chorister were made available to girls as well as boys, when the Girl Choristers were formed.
Being a chorister is one of the few occupations in which children can work alongside adults at a professional level, helping them to achieve musical excellence.
As well as singing the daily round of services, the boy and girl choristers have been involved in tours in Europe and the USA, local and national television and radio broadcasts, concerts and recordings. The repertoire they sing spans more than six centuries of choral music. The choristers regularly support some of our key events. There are opportunities for both boys and girls and auditions to join are held each year.
Peterborough Cathedral Old Choristers’ Association
Former boy and girl choristers of Peterborough Cathedral are invited to become members of the Peterborough Cathedral Old Choristers’ Association. The Association organizes an annual event including lunch, Evensong sung with the Cathedral Choir, an AGM and an evening meal. The Association is always glad to hear from members with whom it has lost touch over the years.
Despite its historical title, membership is not restricted to the ‘old’ and currently includes a good number of choristers who have recently finished in the Choir. Former choristers of all ages are welcome.
Membership of the Association costs £15 per annum to include membership of the Music Association. In this way former choristers can keep in touch with the Cathedral and its music today. Enquiries should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Simon Wilkinson via http://www.onceachorister.org/associations/peterborough.html